UNLICENSED MOTOR-CYCLE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1930, Page 11

UNLICENSED MOTOR-CYCLE

YOUNG RIDER PROSECUTED. “REGULAR WILL-Q-THE-WISP.” “The indications are that this was one of the best-laid schemes for a long time,” remarked Chief Inspector R. Day in prosecuting William John Keefe, a baker’s apprentice, who pleaded guilty in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday to charges of riding an unlicensed motor-cycle and of riding the motor-cycle without his possessing a driving license. Both offences were stated to have taken place in Devon Street on November 15.

For two months previously complaints had been received from residents between Fitzroy, where Keefe worked, and the cemetery near which he lived, that a noisy speeding motor-cycle was using Waiwaka Terrace, Rimu Street and Paynter’s Lane in the early afternoons. “The cycle was sometimes red, and sometimes green,”—-a regular “will-o’-thelwisp,” declared the inspector. La<st Saturday a watch had been set, but 'Keefe had walked home. He was stopped, and questioned. It was then ' discovered that the motor-cycle was coloured green on one side and red on the other. An old num-

ber-plate with white letters on a chocolate base had been painted to resemble a current plate. In answer to the magistrate (Mr. R. W. Tate® Keefe said the numberplate was in that ..condition when he obtained the machine, and as for the colours of the machine, “it was just a freak like.” He had previously applied for a borough license. To this the inspector replied tl t Keefe had not been willing to wait for examination. Mr. C. H. Croker, who was in court, put in a word on Keefe’s behalf. He ’explained that tlie youth was an apprentice and suggested that the case could stand down in the meantime. The magistrate decided to 'do so until the afternoon, when he required him to appear to show cause why the maximum penalties should not be inflicted. When the hearing was resumed in the afternoon Mr. Choker repotted that Mr. Day and himself had .closely questioned the defendant. The motor-cycle was one for which the defendant h . arranged to pay £5. He denied’ that he had painted the number-plate and they were prepared to believe him. The youth had acted very foolishly. They did not think that he was fit to own a motorcycle at the present time, and he certainly could not afford it. The magistrate agreed to adjourn the case for three months. If a good report were received and Keefe had not rjdden the machine he would receive only nominal punishment. Otherwise an exemplary fine would be imposed.