IMPORTANT CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 9

IMPORTANT CASE.

Trailer Was Intended to Carry Goods. VERDICT FOR MOTORIST. (Special to the “ Star.”) TEMUKA, April 17. A test case of interest to motorvehicle owners was heard in the Magistrate’s Court, Temuka, this morning, when T. Murphy, of Geraldine, was proceeded against by the Traffic Inspector (Mr Ash well) for using a motor trailer without a license. Defendant pleaded not guilty. At the request of the Magistrate, the inspector quoted the regulations in the Act, which defined a “ trailer.” The case was really a test one and during the hearing the question of ” goods ” came up, the definition of which was explained in two of the best dictionaries published. The trailer had on it a saw and bench, with an engine, which the inspector contended was “ goods ” within the meaning of the regulations. In explanation, defendant said that he was under the impression that the trailer came under the same heading -as “ mills and chaffcutters,” which did not require registration. The Magistrate, in giving judgment, said that the question was whether the trailer was constructed for the carriage of goods, or for use as stated by defendant. The Act was a taxing Act, intended to rope in motor-vehicles, and the wording must be construed as set out in the regulations. He did not think that the wording brought the defendant within the meaning of the Act, as the trailer could not be very well used *for the carriage of goods. The case was dismissed.