AN ETERNAL PROBLEM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1190, 27 July 1911, Page 3

AN ETERNAL PROBLEM.

: q. WHAT IS "HELPLESS DKUNKEN- ' NESS"? It seems that * "helpless drunkenness"" is a srate unsolved and undefined. A middle-aged man, a first offender,faced the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning on a charge of having been found drunk. In giving' evidence Constable M'Kelvie said that when arrested accused was net drunk, but was in a helpless condition through drink. Mr..\V. G. Riddell, S.M. "You say the man was not dnmk I" Sub-Inspector Sheehan, to the witness: "What do you consider helpless drunkenness?" Constable M'Kelvie: "A man suffering • roin the effects of a drinking bout."' Sub-Inspector Sheehau: "Who cannot look after himself?" Constable M'Kelvie: "Yes." The defendant: "I was not-drunk." Constable M'Kelvie:-"You were bordering on the delirium tremens. You were absolutely helpless, and you 'ook an epileptic fit." . ' A prohibition onbr was then asked for. The defendant objected. Mr. C. E. Dix gave evidence concerning the applicafion for the order. He said th?t the man had been more or lsss drunk for six- months. The defendant made p. further protest against any issue of an order. However, he was convicted and ordered to pay medical arid hosnital expenses (£3 15=.), in default seven days' imprisonment, and the application for a prohibition order was granted.