WENT TO THE RACES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 686, 11 June 1929, Page 7

WENT TO THE RACES

CAR WITH DEMONSTRATION NUMBER OBLIGING SALESMAN FINED (From Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Monday. A case concerning the use of a motor-car with only demonstration plates attached was heard at the Whangarei Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning before Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M., when Leonard Henley was charged under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1921, with driving an unlicensed motor-car in Bank Street on April 18, and also with driving without a licence. Constable Norris said that on April 18, the day of the Whangarei races, Henry drove a car with only demonstration numbers affixed, and as it was race day witness did not think it was a bone fide demonstration. There were three passengers in the car, which came from Dargaville, approximately 40 miles. He thought it too far to take a car for a demonstration. Defendant, in evidence, stated that he took the opportunity of demonstrating the car to a Mr. Finlayson, as Mr. Finlayson was going to the races. It was his first opportunity to demonstrate to Mr. Finlayson, who was considering buying' a car. Mr. Finlayson had not bought the car though he still hoped to sell him one. The car he had demonstrated had since been sold at full value, less an allowance for depreciation due to demonstration uses. All the benzine and oils were supplied to him by his employers, and it was with their full knowledge and consent that he made demonstration trips. As Dargaville was only a small town, most of the prospective buyers were in the country and long trips were often made. J. Finlayson, a farmer residing near Dargaville, explained how Henley had come to demonstrate the car. As he and his wife were going to the races, Henley offered to take them and demonstrate the values of the car. He had not bought a car as yet, but intended doing so.

Iri reply to the senior-sergeant, Mr. Finlayson said Henley had brought them to the races on the second day, also, but he thought that Henley came to see someone.

Counsel for Henley submitted that the fact that they attended the race meeting Avas not the point, and that the demonstration had been proved. Under the amended Act the uses to which a demonstration car could be put had been extended beyond all previous confines. If the car were demonstrated to the slightest degree it was a demonstration.

“If it takes two days and 160 miles to demonstrate a car people will be going from here to the Auckland races to demonstrate their cars,” said the senior-sergeant.

lu convicting and fining Henley £2 and costs 10s on the first count, the magistrate remarked that it was not a usual thing to demonstrate a car by bringing it to the races and to repeat the procedure next day. On the second charge defendant was convicted and discharged.