INTOXICATED CARRIER HAS LICENCE ENDORSEE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 580, 5 February 1929, Page 1

INTOXICATED CARRIER HAS LICENCE ENDORSEE

£lO FINE ALSO IMPOSED

DRANK BUT RARELY Sydney Herbert Smith, a carrier of Takapuna, was found intoxicated in his motcr-iorry in Devonport yesterday. He paid the penalty at the Police Court this morning, being fined £lO and having his licence endorsed. He was also prohibited. gMITH was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motorvehicle, Mr. Bryce Hart entering a plea of guilty on his behalf. An endeavour to wrap his lorry round a telegraph pole was held by Sub-Inspector McCarthy to be responsible for Smith’s appearance in Court. He had been driving along Cheltenham Road in Devonport, and taking too wide a sweep round a corner, struck a pole. That had attracted attention to him, and lie was found by a constable sitting intoxicated in his lorry. Two doctors had declared him to be under the influence of liquor. “Smith is a working man with a lorry, and this is his first appearance in court,’’ concluded the sub-inspeotqr. Twenty-live years’ driving experience was attributed to his client by Mr. Hart, who described the man as a highly respected resident of Takapuna. He rarely drank, but when he did it had an unfortunate effect upon him. Yesterday he had been on the road since six in the morning. The Devonport police spoke highly of Smith, who was a married man with a family. If his licence were cancelled his only means of livelihood would be gone. Counsel suggested that a prohibition order be issued. “Smith has already paid the doctors £2 2s for the privilege of ascertaining that he was under the influence of liquor.” ho concluded. Taking all counsel had said Into consideration, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., said that he would not cancel Smith’s licence. While imposing penalty, however, he warned the man that a recurence of tbe offence would not meet with any such leniency.

THE SUN Stop Press