COUNCIL AND MAGISTRATE

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10783, 3 June 1911, Page 4

COUNCIL AND MAGISTRATE

"BELITTLING THE BY-LAWS." "It appears to me," said Councillor Watson at last -night's meeting of the Borough Council "that our inspector in endeavoring to see that the by-laws of the Borough are observed gets very poor support from the Bench." Proceeding to refer to breaches of the by-lairs in regard to riding bicycles without lights and on the footpaths, Councillor Watson remarked that these were very -dangerous practices ; but when the Inspector took these cases to Court more than half of the offenders were convicted and discharged. If a fine was imposed it was a shilling or so, without costs, and the erring cyclists went away smiling. Ifc seemed' to him that the Counc'l should do something to strengthen the Inspector's hand. These remarks did not apply to cycling breaches of the by-laws ' alone, v When drivers wore prosecuted for driving round corners at other than a walking pace it was not to be Expected that the Inspector would lay an information unless the driving was furious; but when such cases were brought a small fine was imposed and the driver went away smiling to drive round the next corner lie came to. He had ill mind a case in Court tile other day, where a cabman drove round a corner to catch a train. He probably got an extra fee for catching the train; but he was fined only 2s. Councillor Watsoil proposed: "That this Council write to the Minister for Justice and bring under his notice the number of cases which are brought and unsatisfactorily dealt with by the Bench." Councillor Mitchell thought the time was not ripe for such a motion. They should refer the matter to the By-laws Committee to ascertain what fines were imposed in other places, and then take action if necessary. He would move to that effect. Councillor Watson withdrew his motion.

Councillor Searlo seconded the motion, saying: "I think the Magistrate takes every opportunity of belittling the Borough by-laws and ridiculing the Council's Inspector." " The motion - was carried without dissent.