"AN ABSURD BY-LAW."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11671, 11 April 1916, Page 2

"AN ABSURD BY-LAW."

MOTOR-CYCLE RESTRICTIONS. - A MATTEIt OF FINES. * The Bv-laws Committee of the City Council last night in its report, drow attention to the fines inflicted at the Magistrate's Court upon persons found guilty of/breaches of the by-laws. 1 lie fines," the committee stated, appeared to be quite inadequate. The following were only a fc*v instances of the penal; ties inflicted:—Carrying passengers on motor-cvcles other than in a side-chair. Is without costs (eight cases); driving motor-car without possessing certificate \ of ability, Is and costs (several cases); driving too fast over crossings, 10s and costs; licensed motor driver, four convictions, 10s and costs; five convictions, Is and costs. In many instances the Motor Inspector had to wait at the Court for the greatef part of the day to conduct, prosecutions and to .give evidence. The committee was of opinion that when a person committed a second broach of the by-laws a much heavier fine should be imposed. Councillor J. M Combs said that the by-law was absurd, and the Magistrate was only expressing his opinion of it in inflicting fines of a shilling: Persons could ride in comparative safety on the luggage carrier of a motor-cycle. Councillor J. Reynolds said that the by-law had. been copied in Wellington. "I thought tlicy were sensible in Wellington," said Councillor H. J. Otley. Councillor H. F. Herbert said that hundreds of motorists and cyclists travelled on the wrong side of the road and were never " had up." The report was adopted.