INTOXICATED DRIVER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 729, 31 July 1929, Page 1

INTOXICATED DRIVER

FINE OF £ls EARLY MORNING EPISODE The zig-zag course pursued by a motor-car in Hobson Street at three o’clock this morning attracted the attention of a patrolling sergeant, with the result that the driver, John Harold Sheridan, was fined £ls at the Police Court this morning. His driving licence was not cancelled. Sheridan, a salesman aged 24, was charged with casting offensive matter, in addition to the count of being intoxicated In charge of his motor-car. Mr. A. Smyth entered pleas of guilty. Sergeant Campagnola described the erratic course of the car up Hobson Street shortly after three o’clock this morning. When about half-way along Hobson Street, accused had left the car and staggered to the footpath. He was by himself in the car. Sub-Inspector McCarthy understood that Sheridan was a new arrival in Auckland. He was a commission agent selling articles of household ware, and claimed the car as his own. “He is said to have recently driven from Gisborne, but what he was doing driving about the streets at this hour. I cannot tell/’ added the sub-inspector. According to Mr. Smyth, Sheridan had driven through from Gisborne on Monday to tako his sister home. He had been out with a friend and had a few drinks, but did not realise the effect they had had upon him. “It is his own oar.’ continued counsel. “Accused travels for a Gisborne firm, but he Is not on business just now. He does not drink as a rule, but this time he was on a holiday.” Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: I follow that, but what is his record in Gisborne? Mr. Smyth assured the magistrate that it was Sheridan’s first appearance before a court. He asked that accused be allowed to retain his licence as the man used the car in his work. He was a married man with one child. “There are degrees in these cases that the public does not know,” commented the magistrate. “I think the ends of Justice will be met if I impose a. fine.” On the minor count accused was convicted and discharged.