DRUNK IN CHARGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 124, 2 July 1941, Page 5

DRUNK IN CHARGE

NATIVE, MOTOR CYCLIST FINED ARREST IN COMMERCE, STREET A fine of £25 and the cancellation for twelve months of his driver's licence was ordered by Messrs G. A. Brabant and L. R. Brown, J's.F., when Reuben Taylor appeared at the local court on Monday morning. The accused pleaded not guilty. Constable G. Urquhart stated that at 4 p.m. on Saturday he had found the accused in the Whakatane Hotel and considering that he had had more liquor than was good for him told him to leave. The accused had done so, but had later returned and had another drink. At 4.45 p.m. the Constable stated that he had seen Taylor riding a motor cycle along Commerce Street in an erratic manner. He had followed him and on stopping the cyclist had fallen Avith his cycle on tAVO occasions. He had been having a real sitruggle Avith the vehicle. Dr. A. W. Fletcher Cole gave evidence of having examined Taylor at about 5.15 p.m. Avlien he found him to be in a state Avhich would not make his use of the cycle safe to himself or other users of the road. The accused admitted having some drinks, but stated that he had been in complete control of his cycle. The machine had a faulty rest and when endeavouring to stand it this rest had failed and' the cycle fallen. This had happened before. The accused stated to the Bench that he was married with four children one of which he had learned that morning was ill. The Bench, remarking that they would folloAV the custom of the Magistrate imposed the fine of £25 and ordarcd this to be paid before accused left custody.