"MUST BE CHECKED"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 6

"MUST BE CHECKED"

DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

MAGISTRATES CONFER

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, August 8.

The Auckland Magistrates have been in conference regarding intoxicated motorists, according to a statement by Mr. Wyvern Wilson, senior Stipendiary Magistrate, in the Auckland Magistrate's Court this morning, when John William Kinder, engineer, pleaded guilty to being in a state of intoxicaton while in charge of a car yesterday.

Sub-Inspector Fox told of a minor collision bciween the accused's car and another. The driver of the other car had warned Kinder not to drive, but the warning was ignored. The constable who arrested Kinder saw a woman in the car place two bottles under a cushion. Investigation showed that the bottles contained whisky and wine. The woman was quite sober. Kinder was convicted for a similar offence in 1928.

For the accused, Mr. Sellar said his client had had only two nips of : whisky. Kinder was showing signsi of great worry. His wife had been ill for four months, and he had lately been doing night nursing.

Mr. Wilson: I wish it to be understood that the Magistrates of this city view this sort of offence with great gravity, and have had a conference on .the matter. These offences have been increasing lately, and must be checked. The penalty is going to be severe. Motorists must realise that the law provides for imprisonment without an option. If heavy fines don't stop them, the offences have to be checked by imprisonment. I want that1 to be widely known. If these men drive while in a state of intoxication accidents are bound to occur, accidents where death may ensue.

Kinder was fined £50 and Ms licence was cancelled for two years.