MOTOR SPEED-LIMITS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8652, 10 February 1914, Page 6

MOTOR SPEED-LIMITS

LOWER HDTT PROBLEM. Last night the Lower Hutt Borough Council spent some time discussing the prosecution of motorists for exceeding the speed limit in the borough. Councillor Dawson mentioned a complaint that owners and drivers were not notified soon enough for them to secure their witnesses for the defence. He further stated that he would like to see the by-law amended to provide that the speed limit from the railway station to the V.I.C. store be 20 miles per hour instead of 15, as at present, and beyond that point 25 miles per hour, instead of 20 miles. Councillor Kempthorne said that ho believed that the more irksome the proceedings were made the less commop the offence will become.

The Mayor said he trusted the council would stick rigidly to the conditions of the by-law,, and not reduce the speed limit in the slightest. Other councillors were of the same opinion. Councillor Dawson remarked that he hoped the engineer would give his assurance that in future persons who had offended against the by-law by exceeding the speed limit would be notified as early as possible. The Mayor said that he did not see why the engineer should give such an assurance. The utmost facilities were given motor-car owners and drivers by both the engineer and police, and nothing further should be done. Councillor Parsonage said that it appeared that drivers drove their cars through the streets of the borough at any speed they thought fit. The engineer said that on Snndav he timed a car that was going through the borough, and found it was travelling at a speed of 46 miles nn hour. He was unable to take the number of the oar. Councillor Meldrum said the fines inflicted in convicted cases were not high enough, and should be increased to £5, ' No action was taken by the council.