"BLACK LIST."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 271, 14 November 1936, Page 10

"BLACK LIST."

S.M.'S SUGGESTION.

DRIVERS AND DRINK.

MAN WITH FIVE OFFENCES,

THREE MONTHS IN PRISON,

In dealing with a man who pleaded guilty in the Police Court to-day to his fifth offence of being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor car, the magistrate. Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., suggested that the Transport Department should have a black list for such men to ensure that they do not obtain licenses from local bodies.

The offender was Douglas Henry Alexander Chalmers, aged 39.

Sub-Inspector Fox saitl that at 4.10 yesterday afternoon a traffic inspector on duty in Karangahape Road noticed tlie car driven by Chalmers first in a line of traffic. The car attracted the inspector's attention because- of the crashing of the gears. Then it moved backwards and collided with another motor car. The inspector spoki to Chalmers an.l, asked him to get out of the ear. He could see that he lvad been drinking. Chalmers was then arrested and taken to the police station by Constable C. Becroft. At 4.40 p.m. he was examined by a doctor, who certified that Chalmers was obviously under the influence of liquor. ,

"This man has just about established a rccord for previous convictions for this type- of offence," said Sub-Inspector Fox. "He has-no less than four for the same offence. When he was a taxi driver in April, 1930, he was lined £5. Then a month later —in May of 1030—he was fined £35 and had his license cancelled for twelve months. These two offences were committed in Auckland. Then in July, 1932, at Waihi, he was fined £10, his license being cancelled for three months. In Auckland in June, 1934, he was fined £10 for a similar offence, his license being taken away for six months. He is a married man with a family and i.s at present on sustenance. He says lie holds a drivers license and that the car he was driving yesterday is one he is looking after for the owner. The brakes on the car were useless.

Asked if he desired to say anything, Chalmers said, "No, I have not much to say, thanks."

"I think the Transport Department should have a black-list upon which the name of such a man as this should be placed," said Mr. Wyvern Wilson. "His name and description should be put on and the list circulated to all local bodies so that lie could not get a license. His is a shocking record. Fines and suspensions of liis driving license are no use. That is quite obvious."

Chalmers was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. His license was cancelled and lie was disqualified from holding another for three years. On a charge of driving a car with defective brakes lie was convicted without penalty.