CHARGE AGAINST MOTORISTS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1928, Page 12

CHARGE AGAINST MOTORISTS

FINES FOR INEFFICIENT BRAKES. A raid on motorists using the Junction Road on September 21 was responsible for fines of 40s, with 10s costs, being inflicted in New Plymouth yesterday on several who had inefficient brakes. The Taranaki Education Board was the first defendant called, the charge being that its lorry did not have an efficient footbrake. Mr. H. W. Insull, pleading guilty, explained the handbrake was in good order. The driver arrived home late the previous evening and was asked to leave early next morning so as not to keep men waiting in connection with some concrete work. The brake-bands were actually in the shop waiting to be put on. Other defendants were Alfred Fester (insufficient handbrakes), Caleb Masliu (inefficient footbrakes), Henry Beresford Kidd (insufficient footbrakes), and Harold Arthur Binning (insufficient footbrakes). James Connell was fined 20s, with 12s costs, for riding a bicycle without a tail-light on September 20. A constable’s mistake, in taking tlie number of a motor-lorry that had no tail-light, on the corner of Devon and Brougham Streets was responsible for Basil Blackhall’s name being called in court yesterday. The charge was dismissed. Constable Palmer said he saw ■ the lorry about 7.35 p.m. on August 2f, as it was turning into Brougham Street. The number was 58/944. Mr. A. A. Bennett explained that Blackhall and a man named Volski were carting logs for Kibby until six o’clock and at 7.30 .p.m. the three were having tea at tlie house of Blackball sen. They all left for town at 7.40 and after visiting some shops arrived at Hannah’s corner at 8.20. This account was confirmed by Thomas L. Blackball, who said the taillight was burning when he examined it at the Brougham Street corner. Later the lorry went on to the bowser station near the cenotaph. The magistrate said it seemed a mistake had been made in taking the number.