TEST FOR MOTORIST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20040, 12 September 1939, Page 15

TEST FOR MOTORIST

“WHAT IS 12,345 TIMES 79?” QUESTION OF SOBRIETY LONDON, July 20. Can you multiply 12,345 by 79? There are two ways of doing it, Here is one: — 12.345 X 79 111,105 864,150 975,255 • -y And here is the other: — 12,345 X 80 '‘''" 987,600 (subtract) 12,345 975,255 Lord- Rhidian Crichton-Stuart, - 22-vear-old youngest son of the Marquis of Bute, iwas asked, to work out this sum when a Perth doctor was testing .him for drink in a motoring case. Or. R: Ritchie'said-in Perth Sheriff Court yesterday that Lord Rhidian failed to do the sum. “Bad at Sums’’ He multiplied thirteen by seven correctly. In multiplying five figures by seven he got only two figures right' - " • - ’ - Dr. Ritchie was asked: “If you learn he is no good at arithmetic, would that account for his inability to do the sums?” He answered, “Yes.” Lord Rhidian, in evidence, sgid he had two large whiskies ’at 1 o’clock, another at 3 o’clock, and a fourth at 7 o’clock, with a half-grain of ephedrine for his asthma.

At dinner he had half a glass of port, and then .went out. He was perfectly sober, but due to the effect of the drug he felt a bit “drowsy and peaceful.” . Sheriff Valentine imposed a fine of £2O on Lord Rhidian for driving while under the influence of drink, tnd disqualified him from driving for three months.

He said there was no question of Lord Rhidian toeing drunk, but he had too much to be driving a car.