CRASHED INTO CAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 7

CRASHED INTO CAR.

MOTOR CYCLIST IN COURT,

On a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor cycle, William Charles Griffiths, aged 34, was to-day fined £5 by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court;

. Describing the accused's offence, Detective Sergeant Kelly said tliat at 10.45 last evening, Griffiths crashed into a motor car in Queen .Street.

"He is a married man and his wife is ill," said Mr. Alan Smythe, who appeared for accused. "Griffiths was home all day yesterday looking after his wife, and went out last night on his motor bike to get a bit of fresh air. At the top of Queen Street, he met three men, and was given one glass of stout by them. One of them asked to be taken to the bottom of Queen Street, and accused agreed to take him. Accused says the one drink had nothing to do with the accident. A motor car crossed in front of him, and that was how the accident happened." Counsel asked that Griffiths be leniently dealt with. He earned only £4 10/ a week, so that he could not pay a fine immediately. He would need time to pay. ' "Let him sell his motor bike," said Mr. Hunt. "It's bad enough to ride these things when they're sober, let alone when they're drunk." The constable who arrested accused said that he walked Griffiths up to the police station, and he was unsteady on his feet. Accused: I'm not a drinking man. I've never been in an hotel in my life. ;■ Griffiths was. fined £5 and his license was cancelled for three months.