DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

Shannon News, 13 April 1926, Page 4

DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

QUESTION OF PENALTY. HOW MAGISTRATSS DIFFER. Methods of dealing with intoxicated motorists ,who are a menace not only to the general public but also to themselves, differ, and protests are made that the penalties imposed are not severe enough (states an Auckland writer). Here are two cases dealt with by Auckland 'Magistrates: — The first was taken on Tuesday, when a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car in Freeman’s Bay was admitted by Evict Ruper Wheeler, aged 31, (represented by Mr. A. J. Moody), before Mr. W. R. McKean, £.M. Senior-' Sergeant Edwards saidj that about 5.30 p.m. on Monday accused drove a motor car along Patterson, Beaumont and Fanshawe Streets, and back into Patterson Street at a speed which, it was stated, at times reached 40 mues an hour. In turning into Beaumont Street the car collided with a pedestrian, J. E. Mangan, who was knocked down, but fortunately. escaped with his clothing torn and his watch damaged. Accused was arrested by a constable and found .to, be wc-ll under the influence of liguor. There were, in addition .eight botties of beer in the car. Mr. Moody said ’that accused never had been in trouble before and asned for leniency on account of his previous good record. , 1 The Magistrate said that the orfence was serious, and he- was considering whether he should not impose a term of imprisonment.. In tne circumstances accused would be fineded £lO and ordered to pay a further £5 damages to Mr. Mangan, as well as £2 witness s expenses, .in addition accused would have his driver's license cancelled for six months. The second case was dealt with yesterday. At 5.30 on Tuesday nlgflt a taxi driver complained to Constable Wilson about a motorist went toelnr cajted. When the constable went to Victoria Street to investigate, ne found Edgar Janies Lowrie (aged 35) sitting in his car. Lowrie) was taken intp custody and appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, charged with being in a dtate of intoxication while in charge of a motor car. Mr. J. J. Sullivan represented accused, 'who entered a p)ea of guilty. Senior-Sergeant Edwards said tnat while’conung out of Lorn Street into Victoria Street accused’s car first collided' with a taxi car and .then another motor. Lowrie admitted nav,ing had four whiskies just prior to Mr. Suliivan said that this was xne first time that Lowrie had been in court charged with an offence. The accident was not so much due to the drink that Lowrie had, and was really caused by the small space allowed a car in which to run out of Lome , Street into Victoria Street, where there was a large laxi rank. Counsel suggested that under the circumstances a light fine might be inflicted. Only on Tuesday an intoxicated motor ist was let off with a fine of £lO by another Magistrate. Mr. Hunt: Yes, that's so; but I think it was a bit light . That man was lucky. There is a penalty of £SO o? three months’ imprisonment ror this offence. I was thinking of imposing a fine of £25. Mr. Sullivan: jl think that tnerc should be some uniformity in the penalties, your worship. Lowrie was fined £lO and his license was suspended for six months.