Collision Follows Several Pony Beers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 907, 26 February 1930, Page 1

Collision Follows Several Pony Beers

MOTORIST IN POCK NO DRIVING FOR YEAR “He spent the whole day going from hotel to hotel,” commented Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning, convicting George Sidney Farrow of being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car. Accused, who admitted having had six pony beers during the day, was fined £SO. His driving licence was cancelled for a year. Ten witnesses were called in the case and there was a wide conflict of evidence, particularly on the question of accused's condition. Farrow was remanded on £SO bail last week. George Kerler, of Waikowhai, gave the time of the accident which had led to accused’s arrest as 7.30 p.m. on February 18. Witness, who was driving his car round a corner of theGreat North Road near the Avondale bowling green, was confident that he had been on his correct side of the road. Accused had run into him and both cars were badly damaged. “I am convinced that the man was intoxicated,” declared witness. Mr. Hart: Had you taken any liquor yourself? Witness: No. Mr. Hart: Do you ever have any yourself? Witness: Yes. I had some about six months ago. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: That will have worn off now; Mr. Hart: I suppose you still remember the smell. Constable Horan, of Avondale, recalled accused arriving at the Police Station .'to report the accident. He was then walking unsteadily and stumbled going down the steps. Witness had suggested that a few drinks might have had something to do with the accident, but Farrow had denied taking anything but a glass of whisky at home after the accident. “He was under the influence of liquor,” added the constable. Witness produced a certificate from Dr. G. D. Lindsay, who had seen accused two hours after the accident. The certificate stated that, though the man was not intoxicated, he had taken sufficient liquor to affect his judgment. Constables Sherson, Miller and Watts, who had gone out to the scene of the accident from the city, were united in their opinion that accused was intoxicated. Constable Miller added that accused admitted having a few drinks during the day. Constable Watts said that Farrow, to him, had denied having any drink at all.

Mr. Hart said that Farrow had disposed of a stiff whisky at home after the accident. That was before he had seen any of the four constables. Daniel Leslie Mason, a service station proprietor, of Point Chevalier, gave it as his opinion that accused had certainly not been intoxicated when he saw him immediately before the accident. This statement was supported by Percy Morrish, of Avondale, who had been talking to Farrow shortly after the accident. Leonard Vincent, water-works inspector, shared the opinion that Farrow had not been intoxicated after the accident. Robert Hooker, a garage employee, said he drove Farrow home after the accident. He had not been intoxicated then. Farrow detailed his movements during the afternoon, admitting that he had several pony beers. It was his opinion that the accident resulted from Kerler cutting the corner. “You will have to give up your ponies if you want to keep the car,” commented the magistrate. HIS WIFE’S CAR The car, according to Mr. Hart, belonged to accused's wife. Farrow had not been intoxicated, but was of an excitable nature. He had been kicked on the head by a horse when a child. “Not a pony,” counsel added. Mr. Hart referred to the small size of a pony beer and there was a short argument between the magistrate and counsel as to the number of "ponies” to a bottle of beer. “I am satisfied that he had more liquor within the meaning of the Act than he should have done to be driving a car,” Mr. Hunt remarked. “It was a perfectly broad road and there was plenty of room for the cars to pass. Kerler was on his correct side and driving carefully. Farrow told different stories to three constables, and I could send him to gaol for three months.” Farrow was fined £SO and his driving licence was cancelled for a year. Mr. Hart asked for time to pay, but it was pointed out that the money was already in court, Farrow having been bailed in a cash bond of £SO.