MOTOR CAR AND TRAM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 143, 19 June 1931, Page 5

MOTOR CAR AND TRAM.

SYMONDS STREET COIXISION. MOTORIST FINED £25. Following a collision between a motor car and a tram at the intersection cf Symonds Street and City Road last night, the driver of the car, Alexander Davie, aged 43, was arrested on a charge of being in a state of intoxication. Ho appeared at the Police Court this morning and pleaded guilty. Mr. R. A. Singer represented Davie. • Detective-Sergeant Kelly said accused was alone in his car, which collided with a tram about 9.30 p.m. The tramway motorman considered that accused was not in a fit state to bo in charge of his car, and the matter was reported to the police. Constable Harrington, having been given the number of Davie's car, set off in a taxi to look for it. He found the car along Symonds Street, it was being driven slowly, but badly, and, jumping on the running board, the constable steered the vehicle into the kerb. It was quite apparent that Davie had taken too much liquor. He admitted having had several drinks. "Davie is a man who rarely takes liquor," added Mr. Kelly. Mr. Singer said Davie had been perfectly frank with the police, and it was quite true that he had had several drinks. Mr. Hunt: He was driving so badly that he could not miss a tram par? Counsel replied that City Road was a very narrow street, and one which was difficult to drive out of. Davie had never previously Broken a law of the land and was a thoroughly respectable man. "The general outcry is that men who are found intoxicated in charge of motor cars should be sent to gaol without the option of a fine," said the magistrate. Mr. Singer: It is not a case of the general outcry, but of justice, if I might say so. Counsel added that Davie had merely made one slip. No one was injured and he was not driving fast. Although he seldom touched liquor, he was quite prepared to take out a prohibition order. Mr. Hunt imposed a finei of £25, cancelled Davie's driver's license ror three months, and ordered him to take out a probibitioin order.