LAWYER FINED FOR INTOXICATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 156, 22 September 1927, Page 11

LAWYER FINED FOR INTOXICATION

VISITOR FROM AUCKLAND (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, To-day. A fine of £lO, with costs, was imposed on John Henry Victor Mansell, solicitor, of Auckland, who was charged before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car. The offence occurred when defendant was visiting Hamilton on September 15. Mr. Tompkins, for the defendant, said his client was not drunk, but was suffering from an old war malady. Mr. Wilson stated that it had ap- , peared to the constable that defendant 1 was drunk, and the singular thing about it was that no mention was made previously of the effects of the trench fever. Was he to accept the explanation that the halting walk was due to the fever, or was defendant partially drunk? Mansell’s companion had no clear recollection of what occurred, and he had been having “drink for drink” with the driver. As a lawyer, defendant would have put up a much stronger defence to the questions of the constable, even if in the uncongenial atmosphere of the -witnessbox. The appearance of a constable should not have had the startling effect on the member of a legal profession that it would perhaps on the ordinary person. He thouglu defendant was partially intoxicated, and the stiffness ; of his legs owing to trench fever much ! exaggerated. It seemed that his un- | steadiness was due to the influence of I liquor. In fining the defendant, the magistrate refused to suppress his name.