MUST LOSE LICENCES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 39, 9 November 1937, Page 6

MUST LOSE LICENCES

i Our Own Correspondent.)

Intoxicated - Drivers

(Fron

PALMERSTON N., This Day. "People who drive cars when in a state of intoxication must face up to the fact that they will lose their driving licenses for a period," stated Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court yesterday when dealing with two offenders. His Worship added that. there was a timo wheu the Court considered whether a man needed his car to - conduct his business but that time had long since passed. ' "In my opinion they are bound to go to gaol as well," Mr Stout commented.' ■ * ' • * The first accused was Raymond Shiel Burns, traveller, aged 47, of Auckland. Senior-Sergeant Mclutyre stated • that the attention of Constable Coutts was called to the way a car was proceeding down Rangitikei street on-the evening of November 3. ' He asked Buxnsj who was the driver, to ">get out and having done so, it was disc'overed he could not stand without holding on to the side of the car. Burns was examined by a doctor who had described hi'm as ,not in a fit state to drive. Mr G. Crossley, counsel for. accused, asked'his Worship to take into account the fact that Burns had spent somo part of the time during •• a remand graiited by Justices last- weelc, in gaol but his Worship said he could not see why he should 'do so. "These people are not entitled to : special- consideration and perhaps less than others, get," Mr Stout commented. "They should keep sober, that is all- I can . say. Some of these daj's they will get no consideration at all but gaol every time. They are a bigger menace to human, life thau people who commit theft." A llne of £15 with £1 Is costs ;was imposed, Burns' driving license. to bc cancelled for 12 months. The ■ other accused was -Ed-^ard Arthur Taylor, Palmerston North, aged ^4. According to the police, ; he . wa* noticed driving around the Square without lights and when stopped by Constable Ward, his eondition. was observed. A doctor later coplirmed the Constable 's opinion. ' Pleading for accused, Mr T. F. Relling said Taylor stopped as soon aa the constable signalled. In' the bright lights of the city he didn't 'realise the! car lights were not switched cn.| Counsel suggested tliat accused ' be allowed to retain his driver 's license. His Worship: "That can't be.done. In every case of conviction, the driver must lose it for a period." Mr Stout then made the rcmarks quoted abovo and imposed a line of £15 with £1 3 s costs and caneelled Taylor 's license for 12 niODths. i