FARMER FINED £20

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 8

FARMER FINED £2O

MOTORING WHILE DRUNK (Special to Times) TE AWAMUTU, Monday A plea of guilty was entered by John J. Cotter, farmer, of Te Mawhai, at the Te Awamutu Police Court when he was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car. Messrs L. G. Armstrong and S. Clark, justices of the peace, were on the bench and Sergeant S. G. Clist prosecuted. Defendant was represented by Mr V. De Coek. Sergeant Clist said that on August 15 defendant was seen by Traffic Officer Ferguson, of Te Kuiti, leaving one of the Kihikihi hotels at about 5 p.m. unsteady on his feet. He turned his car and drove to the other hotel where he remained for about 20 minutes. When he was about to drive away the traffic officer stopped him. Defendant admitted having several drinks in Te Awamutu earlier in the day. At the Te Awamutu police station, a doctor certified that defendant apparently had had sufficient liquor to impair his ability to handle a car. After being detained for a while Cotter was allowed to drive his car home. He had not been in trouble before and suffered from a nervours complaint and was very worried. Mr De Coek said that his client had not had any intoxicating liquor at either of the Kihikihi hotels and what he had taken earlier in the day was the cause of the trouble. The doctor’s report showed that Cotter answered the tests and the case was a border-line one. There were special circumstances in that Cotter was milking 80 cows with only one helper. He had come to town to inquire about a married couple, but was unable to make satisfactory arrangements and the prospect worried him and he took more drinif than was wise. The presence of the nervous disorder was substantiated by certificates of two Auckland specialists. Cancellation of - the driving license would almost cripple defendant for, being a single man, he would have no one to drive the car which was necessary for obtaining supplies. A fine of £2O was imposed and defendant’s license was endorsed.