INTOXICATED DRIVER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 79, 8 June 1943, Page 5

INTOXICATED DRIVER

TE TEKO FARMER CHARGED

CANCELLATION OF LICENSE

As the result of a collision at Te Teko between his truck and a stationary* vehicle, Rayrtiond Percival Rowse, farmer, faced

a charge of driving whilst in a state of intoxication and two additional counts before Mr E. L. Watton, S.M., in the Whaka-. tane Court last Tuesday. He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Farrell said that accused was returning home when lie collided with a parked car opposite the Te Teko Store. Realising his position he had asked a neighbour to drive him home the rest of tlia way. Besides the intoxication charge he was charged with operating a vehicle with defective lights and also without the necessary warrant of fitness.

Mr Barry who defended, said that accused had been celebrating his birthday foliowing a cattle sale. He was not a drinker in the ordinary sense the word and the collision had only been a slight one. He was the owner of the only well boring plant on the plains and counsel pleaded that if his license was cancelled it would involve a serious loss to farmers in this district. He added that Rowse was a first offender and asked for leniency.

"The rule, for intoxicated drivers is too well known and established to be overlooked in this case," said the magistrate in ordering cancellation of accused's license for 12 months and imposing a fine of £15, plus costs and £1 and cofcts, and 10s and costs on each of the separate charges.