THE BLACK CAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 273, 18 November 1927, Page 5

THE BLACK CAT.

DID MOTORIST CHASE IT?

INTOXICATION . ALLEGED. QUESTION OF IDENTITY.

Hilarious laughter ami shouting, a motor car steeriug a serpentine course

in Customs Street, and a black cat showing all the speed of a "tin" hare attracted the attention of Constable Huckster) about midnight 011 November 'J. Black pussies are supposed to bring good luck, but the one which Raymond Emanuel saw brought him to the Police Court this morning, when lie answered a charge of being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car. 0 » Senior Sergeant McCarthy prosecuted, while Mr. Dickson appeared for Emanuel, who pleaded not guilty. Constable Huckstep said t' lat he was in Customs Street when he heard people in a motor car shou.ting in a hilarious manner. He looked round and observed a black cat running across the street. The motor car accelerated and chased the cat for a few yards across the street. The car zig-zagged, narrowly missed a collision with a centre pole, and came to a stop near the pavement, after one of the rear tyres had burst. Witness went over to where the car stopped and spoke to Emanuel, who admitted that he was in charge of the car. He said that he did not see any harm in chasing the cat. He was intoxicated. There were about five others in the car, including two or three women. Emanuel could not produce his driver's license. "Unlucky Black Cat."

Mr. Dickson: Did you take a cigarette from any of the party and smoke it while you were talking?—No; I was offered oue, but 1 refused it.

What (lid Emanuel say? —He said that it was an unlucky black cat. (Laughter.)

Could Emanuel walk?— Yes, but his speech was thick.

Constable Ross stated that when he arrived at the scene of the mishap he asked who was the driver of the car. Accused said he was. Accuscd was the only man in evening clothes.

Sergeant Duinford, who saw Emanuel at the watch-house, said that lie admitted to him that he was the driver. He also admitted that he had had six whiskies after nine o'clock. Cyril J. Wilson said he had lent his car to Emanuel for the evening. „ Denied Being the Driver. Mr. Dickson said that when he came into the case ho found out that Emanuel was not the driver. He had.at once sent the driver to the senior sergeant, as he was leaving the same afternoon for Australia. Counsel said that he had been unable to find any legal definition of "in charge of." His client was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car. Counsel submitted that the driver of tho car, a man named Wctlgewood, was in charge of the car.

Emanuel, in evidence, stated that lie had been in the Dominion only about twelve months, lie had had three or four whiskies at the outside that night. Wedgewood was driving the car. and when it turned into Customs Street he noticed a cat come across the road. Wedgewood attempted to avoid the cat. and while he was attempting to do so the tyre blew out. Everybody got out of the car, and witness started to jack up the wheel. He saw the first constable coming across the road, and went to meet him. He gave the constable a cigarette, and had been talking with him for about five minutes when the second constable arrived. He asked who was in charge of the car. Witness said he was, and the constable said, "You shouldn't be driving." Witness said, "I did not say I was driving. I said I was in charge of the car." Witness stated that he certainly was not intoxicated. Wedgewood was also in evening clothes. Corroborative Evidence. Four other witnesses stated that accused was not intoxicated, and that he was not driving the car. The hearing was then adjourned until this afternoon.