CAR SMASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1936, Page 8

CAR SMASH.

GAOL FOR DRIVER. WOMAN IN HOSPITAL. SUSTENANCE MAN CHARGED. INTOXICATED AT WHEEL, A labourer on sustenance, Henry Thomas Hansen, aged 30. was sent to gaol for three months by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, for being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor car in Eden Crescent last Saturday afternoon. Mr. H. L. Buisson appeared for Hansen, who pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Fox said a man named Howard drove to Eden Crescent in his car last Saturday afternoon and for a few minutes parked it on the wrong side of the road. There was also a young woman, Miss Violet Thomas, in the car. At 4.50 p.m. as she was about to leave the vehicle, another car, travelling in the opposite direction at a speed estimated to be 45 miles per hour, collided head on with the parked car, pushing it up the hill a distance of 17ft. Both cars were badly damaged in front and Miss Thomas was injured, receiving a cut over one eye and concussion. "She was taken to hospital where she still remains," added Mr. Fox, "but she will be discharged quite recovered in three or four days' time." Mr. Fox said the police were telephoned after the accident and Constable Gillespie was sent to the scene. On the way he met Hansen and a companion, but at that time the constable did not know they had been involved in the accident. The constable later searched for Hansen and found him in Victoria, Street East, near Queen Street. Hansen was arrested and 20 minutes later was examined by Dr. Pettit who certified that he was unfit to have charge of a car, although he was not drunk " This is' 3" "Serious Case." Mr. Hunt: This man ran into another car, then abandoned his ear and went away? Sub-Inspector Fox'replied that tliis was so, an'd added that the car driven by Hans,en was a rental ear. "This is a serious case of its kind, sir, and the police originally intended sending it on to the Supreme Court, but in view of the improvement ehown by the young woman who was injured we have deckled to proceed with the charge summarily." "I cannot understand how they got this rental car," said Mr. Buisson, "for Hansen's companion was in a worse state of intoxication than Hansen himself. I wish to point out, however, that after the accident Hansen went into an adjoining flat to telephone a doctor, but he was refused admission because of his condition. His companion was dazed by the accident and walked away. The reason Hansen left the scene was to bring the other man back." Mr- Buisson said Hansen, was a married man with a wife anil one child. His wife was in a delicate state of health and was suffering . from chronic bronchitis. Hansen was oil sustenance. "What, on sustenance! exclaimed the'magistrate. "What does he want to be driving a car for ?" Counsel explained that Hansen had been employed by the other man. to drive the car. . . , Mr. Hunt sentenced Hansen to three months' imprisonment and cancelled his driving license. A woman who was in the rear of the Court then began to sob, and out to Mr. Buisson, "Can't .you do something or appeal?" Mr- Hunt: This man nearly put a young woman into her grave. That will do. FARMER IMPRISONED. LICENSE ALSO CANCELLED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.? tALMERSTON NORTH, this day. Sentence of one month's imprisonment was imposed on Frederick George Chesham, aged 47, a farmer, of Opaki, by Mr. J". L. Stout, S.M., on a, charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a car in the city yesterday. "This is your second offence, and on two previous occasions you had the benefit of the doubt," said the "magistrate. "People have had ample warning."

Accused's license was cancelled and an order was made prohibiting him from getting another for five years.