Which Was the Worse?

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20453, 5 November 1934, Page 6

Which Was the Worse?

Dear Sir, —There has been a cry lately by the Magistrates of this city about the persons who ride their bicycles at night without lights and they have been fined 15s and £1 and costs for this offence. Well, some time ago a motorist knocked down a motor-cyclist at night, turned out his lights and ran away. This is supposed to be a serious offence in the eyes of the law. especially when the motorist did not report to the police. He was eventually located a month later by the police, who are to be congratulated on the fine work of finding him on such flimsy facts. The motorist was before the Court recently and was fined 10s and costs for such an offence. N this is all the safety which other users of the road have, it will not be surprising if a good number of other accidents will not be reported, except by the injured partv, while the culprit will know that if he is caught it will only be a small fine which he will have to pas*. It appears to me as if this offence is not so serious as riding a bicycle without a light, or if it is, there must be a different temperament among the Magistrates of this city —I am, etc., JUSTICE WANTED.