WEEK-END GAOL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 16, 29 October 1938, Page 8

WEEK-END GAOL

FOR INTOXICATED DRIVERS. MAGISTRATE EXPRESSES APPROVAL. PREVENT RELATIVES SUFFERING (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Approval of the intention of the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) to endeavour to introduce weekend gaol sentences as a deterrent to drivers convicted of being intoxicated while in charge of cars was expressed in the Magistrate’s Court to-day by Mr Luxford, S.M.

He thought it would be a very good move, indeed, because of the reluctance many Magistrates have in sending to gaol people who aro not of the criminal class. Under the proposed system that would disappear and adequate punishment be suffered by offenders without causing a corresponding' amount of suffering to relatives. He hoped this change in the law would he made, and that it would be used to the fullest extent when it came into operation. Mr Luxford sentenced to 10 days’ hard labour Murray Francis Howard, aged 23, a carpenter, who pleaded guilty to intoxication in charge of a car and prohibited him from obtaining a driving licence for IS months. On charges of having no driving licence. and not carrying a warrant of fitness, Howard was convicted and discharged.

Accused was arrested as a result of a complaint to the police who, on investigating, found an empty car with two bottles of beer in the back seat and an empty one. Later three men got in and constables who followed the car saw it swaying and being driven all over the road. Examined by a doctor later, accused was declared to be unfit to drive.