LAW AND BY-LAW.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10779, 30 May 1911, Page 1

LAW AND BY-LAW.

To the Editor. Sir.f—As a cyclist,-_ ami -one who has some consideration- for the safety of others, I . vor\v much : rcjiret- the easy administration of the- law in Oaniarn in respect of by-law cases.- Time niter time I'have read in the Mail of cases brought against offenders for riding bicycles witliout lights after dark. The peppercorn fines imposed upon some, and ihe discharges given to others do not have the restraining effect that would seem necessary to guard against what is a growing evil ill this town. In last night's paper four offenders were charged at the. S.M. Court yesterday with riding bicycles-without lights after sunset; these.offenders .were discharged. The Magistrate's reference to the foolish virgins, and the lamps without oil was unfortunate, inasmuch as from inv knowledge of Oamaru cyclists, the possibility is strong that, the erring ones did not possess lamps. At iiH events, there is far . too much of this dangerous habit practised nightly of riding without lights. If the senseless culprits—male and female —do not value their own necks they should think of a law-abiding, people who are unprotected by the law. So long as su '>~ stantial fines are not imposed, say 10s and costs as the minimnm, this point of tho safety of .others will be a long time in becoming clear to discharged offenders... Again, as a cyclist I muse make a further reference to the Court news in last night's paper. A cabman is charged with driving round the corner from Thames ..street into Kibble. Street, and.being on the figlit-hand side of Kibble street when he...■should have hern on the.left. side. . The Magistrate ■ dismissed ilie. information oil the un.iind that. the. ..cabman could not see"" two evelists coming towards him.. 11 ere is a case where, a cabman, by his own action in being on the wrong side; .if the- street, places. himself! in such a. position! tliat he cannot.see; anyone approaching.. Some erring: drivers niav be.born lucky; others seem to have their luck, thrust upon them.' I might'just mention, for the informa-i tion of ignorant drivers general!}", that anvone - driviup north along Thames street and round the Ribble street corner to the station is clearly, on the wrong side when he grazes the righthand corner. The fact of being on the wrong -side of the .street at the corner makes ifc a nioraLirapossLbility to see an approaching cyclist or conveyance, and the, law is broken from 100 to 200 times a day both at this corner and at other corners in the town. Minor accidents have happened, , and some day when damages are claimed I would feel \er> sorrv- if the plea that "he. didn t see because he was on tlie wrong side of the road" saved the offender. There are manv corners in Oamaru. that are particularly dangerous; and,where the. '•■' Jit or the wrong side of the road is immaterial to the careless drivers, who. seem to be thinking' about everytlnii" except their duty. : If most of the town drivers were between the shafts and.the intelligent horses seated in the conveynnccs ns drivers, the lives of citizens would be better protected than at.present -Vc regards cycling at. mglit "without lights, it would be interesting to know'the number of cases that havq been brought in Oamara during the past three, years- and the amount of the fines inflicted. —I nin, g(ji