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New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9820, 17 November 1917, Page 6

The police are no respecters of persons in the efforts they are making for the strict observance of the motor bylaws. Among those before the Hastings Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for breaches of the said by-laws, states the Hawke’s Bay “Tribune,” were a schoolmaster, a lawyer and a farmer. All put in ingenious pleas, and were confident they were not driving at an excessive speed when accosted by the constable and inspector. One said that no notice board was erected, another that ho was driving an invalid at the tijne, and a third sent a letter to tho magistrate making certain suggestions and stating that when notified of his fine he would send his cheque along. The magistrate said he had no doubt they were all honest in their statements, but very few motorists knew at what speed tber were driving their cars. He caused loud laughter in court when ho said that a Yankee had invented a machine for testing the speed limit, and when it reached 50 miles an hour it registered “Nearer My God to Thee.” Tho Industrial Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hagger> will leave Wellington on Mondav for Napier to preside at a sitting of the Conciliation Council to deal with the general labourers’ dispute (country districts). Afterwards a siting will be held in Wanganui for consideration of the same dispute. On November 26th, the Wellington gasworkers’ dispute will come on for hearing in this city. Claims for new awards are also being filed by the Wellington timber yard and sawmill workers, the Wellington plasterers, and the Nelson labourers, all of which will be considered bv Conciliation Councils early in December.