SYMPATHY FROM A MAGISTRATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 15

SYMPATHY FROM A MAGISTRATE

ALTERATIONS TO BRAKES BUS COMPANY CHARGED "I sympathise with the owners and with passengers who have to travel in buses with brakes converted in that manner,” said Air. W. R. McKean, S.AI., yesterday when fining the Passenger Transport Company on three charges of having defective brakes. The charges, heard in the Traffic' Court this morning, elicited the fact that the Public Works Department had compelled mechanical alterations to the braking system on v .wo of the buses and that these alterations were directly opposed to the makers’ plans. Air. AlcKean remarked that he supposed the Public Works Department knew more about braking than he did, but it appeared to him on the evidence that the alterations ordered were likely to produce a dangerous condition rather than safety. The defence admittec. a technical defectiveness, but asked that in view of the fact that the buses were inspected every morning and that the defects had been immediately rectified, counsel asked that a very small penalty be imposed. The charges relating to the handbrakes altered by order of the Public Works Department, were dismissed on payment of costs and a third charge relating to a defective: footbrake was met by a 20s fine.