A COMPROMISE

NZ Truth, Issue 1181, 19 July 1928, Page 7

A COMPROMISE

More About fraflse Sleuth Robson (From "N.Z. Truth's" Dunedln Rep.)' In "N.Z. Truth" recently the/ "Keystone Cop"-,methods of Traffic Inspector Robson, an over-zealous officer employed by the Riccart'on Borough Council, were exposed. MAGISTRATE MOSLEY, it will be remembered, mildly admonished the inspector for the methods he em- ' ployed m connection with a case against a motorist named Middleton, who alleged that Robson had compromised with him to reduce the speed m the charge if Middleton would plead guilty. ; , Robson sternly denied that he indulged m such a practice. But the fact is that he not only endeavors to compromise, as alleged by trord of mouth, but is not above putting It m writing, as his own correspondence file should show. . • The motorist Is a fairly good chop-ping-block for all and sundry and m fairness to him, the methods of Inspector Robson should be exposed. FAST AND LOOSE METHODS It will not be denied that everyone is anxious to see the menace of the irresponsible road hog removed, but if fast and loose methods by traffic inspectors, m an endeavor to keep up their average of convictions are to be permitted, the course of justice must necessarily be impaired. ' '' . On May "18* 1928, R. W. Robson, traf-fic-inspector for the Riccarton Borough r : Council, wrote to the manager of Erfg-' / lish Motors Ltd., Moray Place, Dune-,, din, concerning a complaint laidagainst A. Sayer,' the firm's foreman^: .mechanic, who allegedly exceeded the Y speed ,on -.. April 9, while passing through the Riccarton Borough. The text of the letter was as 161* lows: — '. i v . . ■ "I regret that we must take ac- ■:;- tioh m this case as the speed was !* ■"• excessive." \ , •■' ■'-■- : -'.-.. •■■.■"".■. -- "The : speed allowed" oyerVcrossS! ings is 15 rtiiles per hour ana ;on • the malhV road 25 miles per hour. : : Mr. Sayer was other cars and we estimate his speed to be over 30 miles per hour. "However, if, as he states, he intends to plead guilty, I will not charge him with more than 26 miles per hour. (Signed) R.W. ROBSON." ,i Sayer'a reason for not defending the charge was on the score of expensed as he would have lost two days' work and incurred expenditure m travelling ; to and from Christchufch. ; But here is a clear and definite in-: stance m writing of an. offer to reduce the speed if a plea of guilty were en-; tered, and it is interesting to recall j l the magistrate's pronpuncement on the. same point introduced into a later,: case, that of Middleton. ' ■"' "If. I have i-eason to believe," he said, "that representations have been made to defendants, or anything of that sort, it will .result m the dis- :' inissai of the casesV' :■; ;'-. Unfortunately for \ Sayer his- case was heard prior ;tp that of Middleton' V and he was involved m a fine and costs " amounting to £3/16/6. In view of the magisterial announce- ■ ment he should be entitled to ft r«hearinff. . . . . . • ; .