Magistrate Hints at Gaol for Motorists

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 816, 9 November 1929, Page 1

Magistrate Hints at Gaol for Motorists

INTOXICATION CHARGE FINE OF £25 IMPOSED

“It is difficult to know what to do with these men,” commented Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning, when dealing with an intoxicated motorist. “The magistracy is being called on to send them to gaol, and we now have the support of the Supreme Court in following that course.”

William David Roberts, a seaman, aged 28, was charged with being found intoxicated in charge of a motor-car in Karangahape Road yesterday. There was a second count of driving without a licence. Mr. Dickson entered a plea of guilty, describing the offence as "a border-line case." Defendant had hired the car from a rental garage, and somebody, noticing that he was not driving quite correctly, had called a constable. The man had been taken to the Newton police station, where he had been examined by Dr. L. G. Drury. Dr. Drury, who was not accused’s own doctor, had said that he was not drunk, but that he had had sufficient drink to cause him to take unnecessary risks. “There seems to have been argument at the station as to whether accused was under the influence of liquor,” added Mr. Dickson. “He is a single man, employed by the Union Steamship Company, painting on the Maunganui.”

Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that two other men had followed accused as he drove erratically along the road. They had first warned him, and told him to go home, as there was a constable at the corner, but he had taken no notice.

The magistrate referred to the case at the Supreme Court these sessions, when an intoxicated motorist, who had been involved in an accident resulting in the death of two persons, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Mr. Dickson: But Roberts killed nobody. The Magistrate: He might have done so quite easily. Roberts was fined £25, in default one month’s imprisonment. For driving without a licence he was fined £1 and costs. An order was made that no further licence was to be issued for 12 months. He was given seven days to find the money. “I should like to thank the two witnesses who followed this man,” remarked the magistrate, after imposing the penalties. CRASHED INTO EIGHT-TON WAGON END OF CELEBRATION Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. Leslie John Bernard Brooks, described as a company manager, was fined £25, and prohibited from obtaining a driving licence for 12 months, for being drunk in charge of a motor-car, and £1 for driving without a licence. He collided last night with an acetylene gas wagon working in the middle of Thorndon Quay. A police sergeant saw him speeding by, swerving a lot, and witnessed the crash, whereupon he investigated. The wagon, which weighs eight tons, was damaged to the extent of £25. There was a bottle and a-half of wine in the car, and it was stated that there had been a celebration of a successful business deal.