CARELESS MOTORIST

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1930, Page 8

CARELESS MOTORIST

BENZINE TANK IGNITED.

MATCH STRUCK AT BOWSER

The careless action of Ronald Payne in striking a match at the rear of his motor-car when it was being filled with benzine resulted in the ignition of the fumes and the subsequent calling-out of the Hawera Fire Brigade. But before the brigade arrived the prompt action of a garage attendant in placing a sack over the benzine tank extinguished the blaze.

A fine of £3, and costs, 10s., was imposed by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Hawcra Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Payne was charged with bringing a light, capable of igniting petroleum vapour, within 10 feet of the fuel tank of a motor-car while the tank was being filled. Inspector L. Hunt, for the Hawcra Borough Council, stated that the charge was laid under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act, the maximum penalty being £lOO. Defendant had stopped at the bowser pump, of Newton King, Ltd., in Nelson Street, Hawera, to fill his tank. While the tank was being filled he had walked around to the rear of the car and had struck a match. He had had a cigarette in his mouth at the time. No damage was done, but that was probably owing to the presence of mind of the garage attendant. The case had been brought as a warning, as there was too much of that sort of thing going on. All bowsers were equipped with notices drawing attention to the danger, but people had become very careless with matches and lighted cigarettes.

The magistrate: It is necessary to impose a fine that will act as a deterrent.

CIGARETTES SOLD ILLEGALLY.

RAID BY FACTORY INSPECTOR.

For failing to observe the statutory Wednesday half-holiday at Hawera several confectioners, a restaurant-keeper and the proprietor of a tearoom -were charged before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The charges were laid by the inspector of factories, who made a raid upon the shopkeepers on Wednesday, June 25, and from each purchased cigarettes. Exemption from the half-holiday is not granted such premises when .cigarettes are sold. C. Kelsen, who did not appear, was convicted and fined £l, and costs £1 3s. Bd. K. A. Saunders, who pleaded guilty, was convicted and fined £l, and costs £1 3s. Bd. H. Gibbes, who did not appear, was convicted and fined £l, and costs £1 3s. Bd. Tony Urlich, who pleaded guilty, was convicted and fined £l, and costs £1 3s. Sd. All were first offenders. J. Fryer, who did not appear, and who had once before been convicted of a similar offence, was fined £2, and costs £1 3s. Bd. F. H. Ollerenshaw, hho was' twice been convicted of similar offences, was convicted and fined £3, and costs £1 3s. Bd. PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Mr. and Mrs. 11. Jenkins have returned to Hawera after an enjoyable trip to Honolulu. Bee.- use h suffered his chimney to be on fire, Leslie G. Pearce was fined 5s and costs 10s, by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at Haweia yesterday. Samuel Mawhinney was convicted and fined £2 and costs 10s by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at Hawera yesterday for driving a motor-car along the footpath in Uni'n Street, Hawera.

Approximately 8000 cows are being tested by the South Taranaki HerdTesting Association this year, an increase of 3000 over last season’s figures. Operations, which commenced this week, cover the whole of the association’s territory which extends from the Eltham-Opunake Road to Manutahi. The Jell Dairy Company’s suppliers furnish 1800 cows. The failure of Arthur Mather to notify registration of the sale of a motorcar -within days of its disposal, together with the name and address of 'the new owner, and other particulars, led to his being convicted and fined £1 and costs 10s by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Foi’ riding a bicycle after hours without a light Herbert Allen was convicted and fined £1 and costs, 10s, by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The borough inspector, Mr. L. Hunt, who laid the inf rmation, stated that defendant had had an electric torch in his pocket at the time.

“If defendants do not appear they must take the consequences,” said Mr. J. 11. Salmon, S.M., in the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday when one man failed to appear when his name was called. ; “But unfortunately both witnesses reside in Patea,” remarked Sergeant Henry. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. R. P. Morrissey and Co. advertise particulars of their usual mart sales at the Union Street rooms, Hawera, to-day at 11 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. Newton King, Ltd., states that there will be a good entry of store pigs at the Hawera eale to-day, when probably over 100 will be yarded. One special entry of 35 big stores is worthy of note, and there will also bo other lines to suit purchasers. The. sale will commence at 12.45 p.m. J. C. Smith will hold his usual mart sale at the Central Mart, Hawera, today at 1.30 p.m., when he will sell table potatoes, milk and cream cans, harness, fruit and furniture.