CAR WITH “SHAKES” GETS DRIVER FINED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 403, 11 July 1928, Page 2

CAR WITH “SHAKES” GETS DRIVER FINED

COLLISION ON GREAT SOUTH ROAD £5 PENALTY FOR MOTORIST Negligent driving on the Great South Road cost John J. Powell £5 in the Police Court this morning. In evidence, Mr. R. E. Cliamptaloup, touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, said that, in company with another officer of the association, he was driving on the Great South Road near Mercer when Powell passed him, skidding from side to side. Shortly after he heard the sound of a collision, and on turning a corner found that Row-ell had bumped into another car forcing it into a ditch on the side of the road, though not doing much damage. Witness considered that Powell was too drunk to be in charge of a car. so ordered him to drive slowly back to Mercer, wherwitness intended handing him over u a constable. However, while he w&> searching for the constable Powell left the township. Evidence w-as brought by the defence to show that Powell was do: drunk and had, in fact, only had three “long beers” all day. Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., said thai he would not convict Powe 1 of bein? in charge of a motor while drunk though it was plain that he would have been better off without tl>e third drink In spite of Powell’s plea that his car had the “shakes” and w-as difficult to control, he would be convicted and fined on the charge of negl:gent driving.