Walter Seward, Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations.

Over the years, I have occasionally fallen foul of certain rules and regulations. Here are four incidents reported in the local newspaper.

In July 1895, I was served notice by the Petersfield Rural District Council to at once desist the traffic of loaded trucks because the wheels were not wide enough. The Chairman said I was carrying five tons on the roads in trucks with 5-inch-wide wheels. I did state to the surveyor that I had the perfect right to do so; however, the clerk advised me that I did not, as such trucks with 5-inch-wide wheels could carry no more than four tons. The regulation was that trucks with 4-inch to 6-inch-wide wheels were not to carry more than four tons.

On March 10th 1898, I was summoned to the Petty Sessions at Midhurst for using a locomotive on the road at Trotton, Sussex, without a license to do so on February 12^th that same year. Police Constable King proved the case. In my defence, I did say I had a license for Hampshire, and I was not aware I required a license for Sussex, as I was only traversing a short distance of road in that county. I was fined 15 shillings, including costs.

In March 1900, I was fined 3 shillings and costs for the offence of allowing my locomotive to be used on the Alton road at West Meon, Hampshire, without my name and address of residence, as the owner, affixed to the locomotive.

At the Petersfield Court Session in December 1911, I was charged with being the owner of a heavy locomotive which did not have lights lit at Liss, Hampshire, at sunset on November 20th. Police Constable White proved that the offence occurred at 4:30 p.m. My solicitor, Percy Burley, pleaded guilty on my behalf, expressing regret, and stated that it would not have been dark at 4:30, despite it being a dull afternoon. I was fined 2 shillings and 6 pence, and 7 shillings costs.

Nothing changes.