INTOXICATED MOTORISTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1938, Page 3

INTOXICATED MOTORISTS

SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 24. The explanation that another man who refused to give evidence for fear of implicating himself had been the driver but disappeared after a collision between two motor-cars in Sturdee Street on May 14 was offered by Edward Thomas Tate, travelling salesman, aged 54, when he appeared before Mi- C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court, Auckland, today, charged with having been intoxicated in charge of a car. Tate pleaded not guilty. “It is proved beyond doubt that accused was intoxicated and in the car,” said the magistrate. “The defence is not a defence but an explanation, and I would hold, even if it were true, that accused was in charge actually and legally. I cannot accept the statement that someone else was driving, and, moreover, accused should never have allowed another drunken man to drive. “I am inclined to think that since prison terms have been imposed in these cases the number has decreased, and therefore the sentences have had a desirable effect, although they have not stopped the offences,” said the magistrate. “This is a case that calls for a severe penalty and I find myself compelled in the pursuance of a public duty, to sentence accused to three weeks’ imprisonment. His driving licence will also be cancelled for two years.” ACCUSED FINED £l5. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, May 24. Admitting a charge of having been intoxicated while in charge of a car last Wednesday evening, Reginald Honan, aged 29, single, was fined £l5 by Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., today. His licence was cancelled for a year. Accused collided with a pedestrian, Miss Grace Pickett, and did not stop immediately. ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN. LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ CO-OPERATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 24. “The Licensed Victuallers’ Association of New Zealand today offered its co-operation in eliminating drunken driving,” said the Minister of Transport, Hon R. Semple, in an interview this evening. “With the members of the Road Safety Council I have been very concerned at the number of recent convictions for drunken driving; six cases were reported in this morning’s paper. “Some of £he accidents resulting ifrom driving while intoxicated have been most distressing, and I feel that nothing should be left undone to keep these tragedies out of the home,” Mr Semple continued. “Many suggestions toward this end have reached me, and these will be placed before the Road Safety Council at its meeting on Thursday. I very much appreciate the Licensed Victuallers’ Association’s offer of co-operation; their very helpful attitude will materially assist toward the solution of this difficult problem.”