INTOXICATED MOTORIST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 3

INTOXICATED MOTORIST

FINE OF TEN POUNDS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 26. “If a person goes on licensed premises after hours to ‘smooge’ to tlxe cook he is not committing,a breach of the Act.” Thus Mr Y. K. Hunt, S.M., when Harold Brown, a wellknown merchant, was asked to explain why he was on the premises of the Carlton Hotel after hours and in charge of a motor car ■ while intoxicated. . The evidence of the police was that Brow'll at early morn was not in a fit state to drive a car and had been on licensed premises. Medical evidence declared that Brown was suffering from . rheumatics and was unable to use. his arms properly. . , Asking that he did not wish the identity of a certain individual to be disclosed, Mr McGrath, lor the defendant, said: “As a man of the world, Your Worship, you know there are times when, a man does not want the names of his. companions to bo disclosed, nor dots lie wish to let people know where he has been.” Mr Hunt: “Yes, I know, from experience.” Mr McGrath: “You have a mate here.”

The police stated that Brown was intoxicated and did not make a colierent statement, but the night porter said defendant had been in one of the rooms. . , , Defendant denied that lie had a drink in the hotel. The Magistrate dismissed the iirst charge, holding that the excuse was a valid one. On the second- charge defendant was fined £lO.