INTOXICATED DRIVERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 390, 26 June 1928, Page 16

INTOXICATED DRIVERS

GISBORNE CONVICTIONS THREE MEN HEAVILY FINED Press Association. GISBORNE, Monday. In the Police Court this morning, Frederick Herbert Goodman, a well-known contractor and sportsman, was charged with being found in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car. Accused pleaded not guilty. Constable McKenzie said he was in the police station at 3.30 a.m. when he heard a terrific smash and saw Goodman in the cax in a drunken condition, holding the wheel. The front of the car had struck an electric light pole. Goodman used bad language and witness had to seek the assistance of another constable to get Goodman into the station. Goodman said, *Tm gone this time. You have caught me redhanded.” Dr. Muir, in evidence, said he examined accused and found him suffering from the effects of alcohol. He was in such a condition that his judgment would be faulty, though he might be able to drive. Goodman never complained of any injury. Had he been injured in the chest it was possible the shock might have made his condition worse. Mr. Allan Moody, Auckland, made a plea for leniency. On the question of the driver’s licence, he said Goodman had many contracts outside Gisborne which he had to visit in the car. Goodman had had a lesson, and counsel asked that he be allowed to retain his licence. He had had a car since 1913. The police stated that Goodman had had no previous convictions. The magistrate said if accused’s business really required the use of the car he was taking a grave risk. He (the magistrate) hesitated in allowing him to keep his licence, but he marked the Court’s view by fining accused £3O and costs, without mentioning the licence. “CREAM OF THE COUNTRY” Archibald Gray Turnbull, a wellknown Poverty Bay farmer, admitted being fount! in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car. It was said that accused was found in the street at 2.30 on the morning of June 17 in a state of intoxication. Senior-Sergeant McLean said it was only fair to state that the police on the whole looked upon accused as one of the “cream of the country” as far as decency and sobriety were concerned. The magistrate said in view of the wonderful testimony given by the police he would not treat the case seriously. He imposed a fine of £lO and costs. A young Maori motorist, Rongo Potiki Hohepa, was fined £ls and had his licence cancelled until May 31, 1929. The police said that accused and another man left their home in the country and stopped at a hotel where they had a number of drinks. They then came to town and had more liquor. The car accused was driving almost knocked a person down. Accused was actually driving when arrested at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The magistrate commented on the danger to the community, and said if nothing else would no he would have to apply the “no first offender” rule.