DRIVER FINED £25

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20499, 16 May 1938, Page 8

DRIVER FINED £25

ACCIDENTAL INTOXICATION LICENSE ENDORBED FOR 5 YEARB ADVICE ON TREATING COLDS “When a motorist has a cold it Is better that he should have medicine or hot lemon rather than liquor in a hotel," remarked Mr S. L. Paterson, S-M-, in the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, to-day, when Raymond Francis Stites, a van driver, of* Cambridge, was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motor van, at Cambridge, on May 14. Accused was convicted and fined £25 and ordered to pay £i Is medical expenses. His license was ordered to be endorsed until May 31, 1943. “This might be described,” said Mr Paterson, “as an accidental case of intoxication in charge of a motor vehicle.” Sergeant T. Kelly, who prosecuted, said Constable C- H. Maisey was on duty in Duke Street, Cambridge, on May 14 and at about 5.45 he saw accused crossing the#street, walking in a very unsteady manner. Accused went to a motor van and started the engine, whereupon the constable hurried to him and arrested him. A doctor certified that accused was unfit to drive. Mr F. ’Kingsford, who appeared for accused, said Stites was a man of very sober habits. It was very seldom that he drank but on this occasion he had driven to the hotel to have two rums in an endeavour to allay a heavy cold. He then left the hotel and spoke for about an hour and ahall' to a friend. After that accused returned to the hotel and drank two more rums after which he was about to return home in the van. Results Not Appreciated “He apaprently did not appreciate the results which the rum might have upon him,” said Mr Kingsford, who added that accused had been In possession of a driver’s license for 15 years during which time he had been involved in only one collision which had resulted in his appearance in the Magistrate's Court, at Cambridge, last week. Accused was a delivery roundsman for a Cambridge baker and each day he travelled 60 miles in calling on 180 customers. For that reason counsel asked that he might be allowed to keep his license"l will take into consideration that the suspension of your license would adversely affect you in your employment and also that you were not actually driving at the time of your arrest,” said the magistrate, in imposing the penalty. Another Charge Ernest Stuart, of Ohakune, was also charged with being intoxicated in charge of a motor vehicle, the alleged offence having occurred at Te Rapa on March 15. He was also charged with negligent driving. On the application of accused's counsel, Mr N. S. Johnson, Stuart was remanded until next Monday. Sergeant Kelly objected to bail being allowed on the same security as previously, as he submitted that accused had committed a criminal offence in identifying his bondsman with his motor-car. Accused was admitted to bail, which was fixed at £SO. He was ordered to pay one day’s witnesses’ expenses.