AFTER THE PARTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3674, 4 August 1927, Page 2

AFTER THE PARTY.

DRUNK IN A CAR. CASE WITH UNUSUAL FEATURES.

Wellington, Aug. 3,

A ease with unusual features was heard by Mr J. H. Salmon, in the Lower Hutt Magistrate’s Court today, when on a charge of being drunk in charge of a car, William Howard Morris was fined £lO, in default one month’s imprisonment. Sergeant Reid prosecuted, and Mr W- E. Leicester appeared for Morris.

It appeared from the evidence that Morris became very drunk at a party, and realising his condition askedi a friend to take charge of the car. The friend was unable to start the car, which was found to be without petrol. Another ear towed Morris’ car to a pump, but no petrol was available. During this trip the friend had steered the car, and Morris and a companion, also drunk, were placed in the back seat, where they went to sleep. The other car proceeded to Wellington with passengers, the driver having first arranged to tow Morris’ car home. On his return the friend was left with Morris, but realising that the other car contained two men who could take Morris’ car home, the friend went home.

A constable appeared on the scene and .found the two sleeping in the seat. With the assistance of another he arrested them both. •Counsel contended that Morris was not in charge of the car in that he gave it into the charge of his friend, who was competent to drive and had not consciously received the car back into his charge.

The Magistrate said that he must find that accused was in the ear in the disgraceful condition alleged, and the police were unable to contradict the evidence of how he got there. In his opinion, when an owner or driver was in the seat of his car, even if he was in the back seat, he was in charge of it. Had the defendant attempted to drive or steer the car his license would have been cancelled) for some years and a substantial penalty imposed.