THE LAST FINE

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 6

THE LAST FINE

FOR DRUNKEN MOTORISTS \j IMPOSED THIS MORNING if • 1 GAOL THE NEXT TIME. . '' j "A motor car is a dangerous thin* when it 19 not under proper control. The fines imposed on drunken motoriets have some time ago reached the maximum, but even £100 fines do not seem t<l have any effect. It will soon be a question of imprisonment for; drunken motorists," said Mr. J.'ty, , ? Poynton, S.M., at the Police Court this morning, when "a professional man" was ■ fined £50 for being in a state of intoxi- ' cation while in char&e of a motor car in Symonds Street. After he had imposed the fine the magistrate added: "This will ' be the last fine. Something else 'will '"' have to be done in future."

The name of the accused was sun. pressed by the magistrate, on the application of Mr. Alan Moody, who said that he was a professional man, and had never been in Court before. The police described accused as a business man. Mr. Moody said that he took the responsibility of advising his client to plead guilty. A 4 p.m. yesterday Dr. ; Coldicutt saw accused, when he was quite sober. However, between 4 and 5 p.m/ accused showed some signs of having had liquor. He had three whiskies. Accused pulled his car up near the kerb and was arrested and taken to the Newton Polfee Station, where he was seen by Dr. Drury. Accused was able to walk the straight chalked line, and talked quite rationally. However, Dr. Drury said that while accused was not drunk, he showed signs of having taken liquor. This was unfortunately the case, as yesterday was accused's birthday, and he had but three whiskies. Counsel asked that as could answer questions rationally, the magistrate should take into consideration the degree of intoxication. The case was not a serious one. _>. Sub-Inspector Lewin said that the fact* as outlined by counsel were substan*: tially correct. However, there was no' doubt the man was drunk, and he ■was steering an erratic course in Symond* Street. Mr. Poynton then made the observations quoted above and fined accused £50,