DOCTOR FINED £50

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 1

DOCTOR FINED £SO

INTOXICATED IN CAR SMASH IN QUEEN STREET FRIENDS’ UNLUCKY MEETING The sequel to a foregathering of friends on the evening of April 30 cost Dr. James Watkin Harper, aged 35, a sum of £SO at the Police Court to-day. Dr. Harper pleaded guilty to a charge of being intoxicated while in control of a motor-car. Senior-Sergeant Cummings said that accused, while travelling at an excessive speed in Queen Street, collided with a safety zone. He was so much under the influence of drink that lie could have been arrested for drunkenness, apart from any offence in connection with the driving ‘of a car. Mr. R. McVeagh, who appeared for accused, said that his client had a country practice, and had come to the city to see some friends at an hotel. He had driven down Shortland Street safely, and counsel’s theory was tfe#.t he had skidded on the oily surface at the head of the safety zone. Accused had received injuries that might account for the excessive view taken of his condition.

“This is a serious offence In Auckland where motor traffic is Kbeavy,” said the magistrate, Mr. F. K„ Hunt. “I have always been consistent in my penalties for this offence, but I don’t propose to cancel the licencafe, for the car is used in humanitarian work, and a cancellation might do injury to others. He will be fined £50.”