SPEEDING MOTORISTS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 223, 1 September 1936, Page 7

SPEEDING MOTORISTS

Auckland Magistrates To Kelp Check Menace. HEAVIER PUNISHMENT. Press Association—Copyright. Auckland, August 31. "The magistrates of Auckland have made up their minds to support the Minister of Transport hi his endeavour to stop speeding," said Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M., in the Police Court at Otahuhu when the first cases under the Motor | Vehicles Amendment Act, 1936, were i heard. Six motorists were charged with 'travelling at speeds exceeding the 30 miles an hour limit. Mr. Alan Bleed, traffic inspector, g. ve evidence that the defendants had travelled at speeds ranging from 34 to 4C miles a:, hour through town districts. He said th- maximum speed permissible had been increased by five miles an hour, it previously having been 25 miles an hour. "We have been asked 1 by the Minister to enforce the Act in respect of excessive speeding," added Mr. Breed.

"These cases arc no longer taken under the by-law but under the Statute, and it would be useless ~, impose small fines," said Mr. Hunt. "The offenders would probably take i.j notice of a fine of £l, and substantial penalties are to be imposed to support the Go\ nment's efforts to check speeding.'' Mr. Holmden, who appeared for one defendant, said one of the largest local bodies in the district was not instituting ! proceedings in first offences. He suggested the court take .a similar' action regarding the first oh'endoFs' nbw:'before ft7 rri :; :! C uy\ ■ '■■■: ,ii; Mr. Hunt: "No, I will not do that. I warned motorists when last I was here that future prosecutions would be under th: new Act. We have made up our minds to stop this fast travelling." A line of £2 and costs was imposed in each case. Mr. Hunt said that in future the finpc wrnnlrl ho much heavier.