"MENACE ON THE ROAD"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 80, 21 April 1937, Page 4

"MENACE ON THE ROAD"

Hastings Moforist Sentenced to Imprisonment DRUNK AT WHEEL "Yoti are a feal mefiace on tbe road and you apparently don't realise your position," said the Magistrate, Mr J. Miller, in. tho Hastings CJourt this morning, in sentencing Georg© Willxam Pepper to 14 days' imprisonment for being in charge of a motor-car while in a state Of intoxicatioiL- Defendant was also disqualified from holding a licence for on© year, Ttt sentencing Pepper, Mr Miller said that, in sentencing drunken drivers to prisoii, his object was to prevent others from doing the same thing, and saVO life. He was infornaed by the police that prison was haviilg the desired effect, so it was not necessary for hini to set the same standard in rigeur of punishment. "In yeur case thei'e are no redeeming features," said his "Worship. "This is apparently a eommen practic© of yours. Drink has beett youf failing," Traffic-Inspector J. H. R. Semplo said that he w&s travellxng along the' main highway t$ Fernhill, when his attention Was attracted to a car dxiven by defendant. "I saw a collision was imminentj so I sottnded rtty siren, and he pnlled ottt of the Way. I followed him for half a mile, sottndiiig ffly siren, but he did not stop ttntil Traffic-In-spector Mann, .Who was with me, signalled to him to stop," Witness stated that h© went over to defendant ttttd asked him to get out of the car. Defefidant stood unsteadily and smelt of liquor. "I toek him oVef t© my car, and with Ittspecfor Mann driving defendant' s car we came to the Hastings Polic© Station/' witness cOncluded. "I thinfc I was capabl© of driving a car," said defendant. "I don't think he was capabfe," replied Traffic-Officer Semple. Corrobative evidenee' of defendant' s driving and his condition, was given by Traffic-Officer D, Mann. Senior-Seirge ant Sivyer stated that he considered accused was under the influence of liquer to the extenfi that he was incapabl© of driving. "He was unsteady on his feet, and Was talking in a drunken way while h© was in the watch-house." . Sergeant J. Mclntosh said that when h© saw defendant he Was • quite tmsieady on his feet, smelt strongly - of liquor, had a vacant expression on his face, and talked continuously. Corrobative evidenee was given by i Oonstable W. S« Craigie, Dr R. Cashmore stated that he examined Pepper about 4 o'cloek in the afternoon. "I came to the. conclusion that he had taken sufficient alcohel to impair hia jttdgment in driving a motor-car." Defendant, in giving evidenee, stated that he had heen driving for 25 years. "I Was the first lorry driver in Hawke' s Bay and I have nevet had an accident," he said. "I reckon I Was quite eapable of driving a car and I had just passed through a mob of sheep when the inspector saw me. "I admit I had about fottr drinks but no more. I suffer from blood pressUre. 1 talked to the cdnstable while I was in the watch-house and he answered me," he continued. "The drinks did not hurt me." "The drinks did hurt you," remarked his Worship, "and you were. drunk. You wer« n°t eapable. Th© two traffic inspectors didn't come here to commit perjury."