GAOL FOR DALMATIAM

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 28

GAOL FOR DALMATIAM

DRUNK AT THE WHEEL “ WINE TASTING " EXCUSE [Pir United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 25. The prompt action of two men in reporting the condition of a motorist was praised by Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court, when a Dalmatian, James Ciprian, a wine salesman, aged 41, was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motor car. He pleaded not guilty. Burton Patrick Costello and ‘William Charles Wootton said they were driving up Queen street, when they observed the accused’s car approaching them on the wrong side of the road. Costello, who was driving, stopped against the kerb, and the other car grazed the rear of the parked car and then headed straight for a tramcar, which had to stop suddenly to avoid an accident. The accused drove into Grey’s Avenue, and stopping, slumped oyer the wheel. When the witnesses approached him he walked away from his car into a Chinese fruit store, and a constable was summoned. Constable Pollock said he found wooden cases of wine and a suit case full of bottles and several empty bottles in the back of accused’s car. When the accused left the shop he was unsteady in his gait, and when examined by a police doctor a certificate was given that he was unfit to drive a car. Mr Hart, for the accused, said he had been instructed to plead not guilty. The accused had an extraordinary mode of speech and was very excitable. It was possible his condition would mislead anyone who did not know him. _ The accused said his business required him to taste wines for sediment. He often had up to 10 tastes a day. On Thursday afternoon he had about three. The Magistrate questioned the accused about his movements, and said: “ You were so drunk that you didn’t know anything. You were fined £25 for a similar offence in 1933. This time you will be sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, your license will be cancelled, and none will be issued to you for two years. In future you will have to do your work with a wheelbarrow, or something else besides a car. The witnesses have to be thanked for reporting the matter so promptly.