BY-LAW CRITICISED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15557, 14 March 1914, Page 8

BY-LAW CRITICISED.

MOTOR-CARS IN STREETS. REFERENCE TO CITY COUNCIL. [Br telegraph.— correspondent] Christchurch, Friday. The Christchurch City Council's by-law that motor-cars must not be left unattended in the streets for-a longer period than five minutes came in for some severe criticism in the Magistrate's Court this morning. William B. Cowlishaw was charged with an alleged breach of this by-law. He was defended by Mr. P. W. Johnston, who said that the Automobile Association had taken up Mr. Cowlishaw's case. Mr. Johnston said the by-law was most unreasonable. In any part of the city motorists who had no chauffeurs were prohibited from leaving their cars in the street. They could not even do a little shopping, or go into their houses for 10 minutes, leaving the car on }he road, without committing an offence. He thought' that the by-law, which was a, clumsy adaptation of the old by-law relating to horse vehicles, should be reviewed by the council. ' ' The magistrate concurred. Four years ago, he said, he had held that the by-law was badly made. He was even of the opinion that it was a little unreasonable. In Colombo Street, where there was a double tramline, it was not rie;ht that motor-cars be left for any time. However, there was a remedy against that in the obstruction of traffic by-laws. Mr. Loughnan, for the City Council, said the by-law should be considered in its application to the case in point. The motor-car had been left unattended for a period of 20 minutes after the constable had been sent for. However, he thought it was a perfectly reasonable request that the City Council should be asked to review the by-law. The case was adjourned for five weeks.