Man wins 8-month parking ticket row

A retired Wellington man has won his High Court stoush against a $30 parking ticket.

Jim Hollis, 72, said he was happy following his eight-month "labour of love" legal battle, though he was awarded only $75 by the court.

He had been seeking $12,000 in costs for what he could have paid in hiring lawyers, the Dominion Post reported.

He was given the ticket after he parked for most of the day on Thorndon Quay in central Wellington on a Sunday in December. The meter displayed contradictory signs about time limits.

Th e former printer lost his case in Wellington District Court but took it to the High Court because he wanted to show up how "obstinate and stupid" the Wellington City Council was.

In the High Court ruling, Justice Ronald Young described the signage as "hopelessly confusing" and said Mr Hollis should never have been prosecuted.

He also recommended the council give consideration to other people "unfairly prosecuted" because of the meter.

A council spokesman apologised for the signage mistakes and said it would be fixed promptly. The council had dished out two tickets in similar cases for about $12 each.

- NZPA