LIGHTS ON "PARKED" CARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18942, 13 February 1925, Page 12

LIGHTS ON "PARKED" CARS.

WELLINGTON PROSECUTION, CRITICISM OF THE BY-LAW. Tho question whether motor-cars should remain lighted when left standing in parking places was raised in the Magistrate's Court in Wellington. Appearing for a motorist named Cyril Brice, Mr. P. H. Putnam stated thai when his client parked his car in Willesto# Street he followed the practice info: iably adopted by motorists in Wellington, and, acting in the belief that ho was doing the correct thing, deliberately switched off the lights. "Motorists," added counsel, "are "under the impression that there is no necessity for either head or tail lamp to bo alight at tho parking places. Outside the Town Hall last night my client informed me there wero over 30 cars, and of these Lis was tho onlv one with tho lights on. The by-law, I am instructed, has not been enforced for soma considerable time. ... I understand that the motor inspectors are not concerning themselves with the offence. I have been instructed by the officials of the Automobile Union that the_ police have not been worrying about it, but in this case the matter was reported to them, and they were bound to go on. I think it is a stupid by-law, and it is unnecessary to enforce it. This prosecution will probably bring before motorists the fact that there is a by-law in existence." The Magistrate: This question was raised some time ago. Do the police know anything of this arrangement that has been referred to ? Senior-Sergeant Lander: We know nothing about it. It is the duty of tho constables if they see unlighted cars to report them. A by-law passed some time ago gav© motorists tha privilege of parking cars after dark in any street in the city, where no trams are running, and on the condition that the cars aro properly lighted. The Magistrate: Who is to be the judge of whether this by-law is to be enforced ? Counsel said he understood that the chief motor inspector did not intend to prosecute. The Magistrate: The City Council had better be approached if tliey wish an amendment, at the present time. Senior-Sergeant Lander remarked that the police brought prosecutions for tho offence almost every Tuesday. Tho magistrate considered that defendant had made a bona-fide mistake, I and imposed a fine of 5s and costs.