RACING FROM THE RACES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19009, 3 November 1923, Page 2

RACING FROM THE RACES

MOTORISTS FINED. CONSTABLE’S BUSY DAY.. Speeding on the way home from the races at Wingatui on October 13 proved expensive to a number of motorists. Unfortunately for them, stationed at Burnside, there was a constable with a watch, ,a pencil, a note-book, and a good deal of zeal. Constable Hamilton had measured out a quarter of a mile, and, in each case but one, timed the cars over the distance. One driver, speed wasf,4o miles an hour over the 'distaihce, was finsd- £5 and costs (7s), three others' whose speed was 35 miles an hour over the distance were each fined £4 and costs (7s), and another, a female driver, Whose speed was only; estimated, was lined ±ls find costs (7s). George Stewart, who was fined £5 and costs, wrote admitting the offence and expressing regret. The police evidence in his case was. that, over a distance of 100 yards, he passed four cars, two of which were abreast. The Magistrate said that it was a typical case of dangerous speeding, and called for a heavy, penalty. Matthew Thomas Halt, a taxi-driver, was one of those fined £4 and costs, ‘the Senior-sergeant, in reply to the Magistrate,, stated that the day on which the speeding took place was a race day. Mr B. S. Irwin (for the defendant)! In more ways than one. I am surprised to hear of this, as the defendant is not, usually a fast driver. Arthur Durrant Hudson’s case was similar to that of Hall, and the penalty was the same. . James Lindsay, in pleading guilty, -said that he had been passed by another car, which had left a trail of dust. Ho baa decided to .pass the other car. Ihe Magistrate: If the other car entered into tlie spirit. of the contest the speeding would have gone on for ever. The Defendant: That is what happened. The Magistrate: Then you will have io take your fine in the same * sporting spirit. * 1 . Gulielma Constance Mills pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit of lo miles an hour, but not guilty' to travelling at 35 miles an hour,, as the police stated. She waj travelling at , between 20 and 25 miles an hour. ‘ The police evidence as to the speed in this- case was only an estimate, and the fipe wo s fixed at £3 and costs. ‘ Another case of speeding was also heard. George Dickson pleaded guilty to a charge of having, on October 2, driven a motor car on the Main South road, Oaversham, at a speed that was dangerous to the public —Senior-sergeant Mathieeon stated that the defendant speeded through Caversham at a speed' of 30 miles an hour, crossing a dangerous corner.—The defendant said he estimated his speed at from 20 to 25 miles an hour. The engine was running on only three cylinders.—A fine of £4, with costs (7s), was imposed.