TOO YOUNG TO HAVE DRIVER’S LICENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 7

TOO YOUNG TO HAVE DRIVER’S LICENCE

FATHER OF BOY FINED (P.A.) Auckland, Nov. 12 In the first case of its nature to be heard at court, Robert Elliott Taylor was charged before Justices with aiding and counselling his young son, Robert Hewitt Taylor, to’ make incorrect and misleading statements concerning his age and address in an application for a driver’s licence. The information was laid by Leslie Arthur Ferguson, acting traffic inspector for the Mount Albert Borough Council, under the Motor Driver's Regulations. 19.40. On September 14, defendant, accompanied by his son, applied at the Mount Albert Borough Council's office for a driver's licence for tfle boy, who was submitted to the usuat test, said counsel for the prosecution. After a licence had been issued, the traffic inspector had occasion to check the date of the son's birth, and found it was April 16, 1931, and not April 16. 1929, as shown on the application form. This made him only 14 instead of 15, as required by the regulations. It also transpired that an incorrect address had been given. When these facts were disclosed the inspector requested that the father return the licence for cancellation, continued counsel. The information had been brought as an example to many people who were too easy going in the filling in of applications. If there had been an accident the defendant's mis-statements might well have invalidated any insurance. Defendant’s counsel said the defendant had been placed in a very awkward position, as his son had outgrown his strength. Acting on a medical certificate, he had taken him away from school, and found him employment in an orchard. An application for a driver’s licence was made to the Mount Albert Borough Council to enable the boy to operate a car in connection with the business. “It is our opinion that there must be a penalty because the defendant has made two serious mis-statements,” said a member of the Bench, in inflicting a fine of £5.