DRUNKEN MOTORIST

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2837, 24 January 1925, Page 2

DRUNKEN MOTORIST

SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT. Christchurch, January 21. In the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Afr YVyvPiii Wilson, S.M., Lion, 1 Charles Burke pleaded guilty to the following charges: (1) Being in ,• h.-nge of a motor ear while in a stale of intoxication; (2) resisting a constable while in the execution of his duty: and (3) using obscene lam-iiage in Gloucester St. Smyeani Lewin, in evidence, -aid ilia I Burke had collided with a young lady who was riding a bicycle, hut fortunately she was not injured. Accused put up a desperate light when arrested in a hotel later. Afr Twyneliam (who appeared for the accused) said he wished to put forward extenuating circumstances in order to induce the Court to inHici a tin,* instead of sending the man lo gaol. The accused was 42 years of age and had a wife and nine children, whose ages ranged from nineleen to two years. TTe was the sole support of his wife ami seven children.

The Magistrate said ii had alwavs been the policy of the law to regard drunkeniies-, or a state of intoxication as a very serious mailer when a person was in charge of a ear. The man. apparently, had a good record previously, and for I hat reason a short term of imprisonment would he imposed. Defendant would be sentenced to seven days' imprisonment on each charge. (lie sentences lo be concurrent. EIRE SUPERINTENDENT FINED. Christchurch, January 21. At (he Magistrate's Court this morning, Charles Warner, superintendent of the Christchurch Fire Bigade, was charged with drunkenimss while in charge of a motorcar, using indecent language and behaving m a llireatening manner. Witnesses lor (he prosecution slat <d I Iml I lie speed of Hie car before I lie smash was 35 or 10 miles an hour ami llial llnyx had no doubt Warner was drunk, \ller (he smash lo .'ol Inin 1 lie ear and attempted to drive il though one wheel was off

There was a good deal ol t outin' ling evidence, alter the hearing ol which the Magistrate said lhal the charge of being drunk while in charge of a motor car would he dismissed. A line of 40/- would sulliee on the charge of using llie language complained of in the circumstances, and he would he ordered to pay costs £4 1/- on the other.