WARRANTS OF FUNKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23829, 8 June 1939, Page 8

WARRANTS OF FUNKS

DUTIES OF MOTORISTS WARNING BY MAGISTRATE (Per United Press. Association) AUCKLAND, June 7. Further warning to motorists not to overlook the renewal of warrants of fitness for their vehicles every six months was given by Mr C. R. Orr Walker. S.M., in the Police Court today. Charges in respect of having no warrants of fitness were preferred against 13 drivers, and fines ranging from 10s to £1 were imposed. “The court’s previous warning does not seem to have been respected,” said the police prosecutor, drawing attention to the prevalence of the offence. “People apparently do not recognise the necessity of having warrants of fitness, and they should be made to appreciate their responsibility.” Counsel for one defendant submitted that every motorist unwittingly transgressed the law by overlooking the date of renewal of his warrant. Many people, too, were under the impression that a warrant covered twelve months and not six, he said. The authorities might be well advised to fix a certain date on which warrants should be obtained.

“I have already suggested that no licence should be approved until a warrant of fitness is issued,” said the magistrate. “It is the duty of a motorist to carry a warrant of fitness, the same as a driving licence, and oversights cannot be accepted as any satisfactory excuse. It shows negligence.”