Friday—Before Mr. L. G. Stileman-Gibbard (in the chair), Mr. Max Townley, and Mr. Hartop.

Alfred Neal, of Rushden, chauffeur, was summoned for a breach of the Lighting regulations at Melchbourne.—Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Special Constable F. V. Dalton said on Nov. 16th he was close to the “Saint John Arm” Melchbourne, about 8.40p.m. in a cart. He called the attention of another “Special” to the bright lights of a car, and they stopped it. He should say the lamps were about 7½ inches to 8 inches in diameter. There was a ring of opaque paint round the edge of the lamp, but the centre was unobscured with tissue paper. Witness asked the driver for his licence, and he got out of the car to get it. Then the man in the back of the car said, “The lights are all right. I have driven through Northamptonshire, and I am the Mayor of Higham Ferrers. That is good enough, is it not?” Witness said, “No, it is not; but if you are really Mayor of Higham Ferrers I won’t bother about the licence being produced, but I shall have to report the case.”

As there were ladies in the car, he did not insist on having the lights extinguished.

Defendant: I consider your lights as good as mine.

Witness: Possibly you may think so, but mine were legal and yours were not.

Second Constable S. C. Horsford said the lamps were six inches across and only three inches were unshaded.

Defendant said he was chauffeur to the Mayor of Higham Ferrers. They had had the Police Inspector of Rushden up to see the lamps, and he said they should pass them.

Inspector Bliss said he should ask for a severe penalty, as the man had pleaded not guilty, and had put them to a deal of trouble to prove the case. Also the Mayor of Higham Ferrers was in the car, and as a magistrate should know the law.

The Chairman said he should never increase a fine because a man did not plead guilty. They liked to hear the evidence in cases. They regretted to have to fine the chairman of a neighbouring Bench, but an offence had been committed.—Fined £2 and 6s. costs.