WOMAN IN CAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 124, 29 May 1939, Page 11

WOMAN IN CAR.

INTOXICATION CASE.

S.M.'S UNUSUAL COURSE

ONE YEAR'S PROBATION.

Arrested on Saturday afternoon for Win? in a state of intoxication while in chaise of a motor car in Oeborne Street, a married woman. Hazel Anne Hatchelor. a-red 47, appeared in the Police ( oiirt. before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, 5..M., this nioinintr, and pleaded jruilty.

Srnior-Serjreant Caltrell explained that at J..") ,).„,. on Saturday, Serjeant Bennett and a constable, vhile on di.ty in Newmarket, saw Mrs. Batchelor filter a motor par. Although she actually started the engine, ehe did not drive off. She was accosted by the officer*, who observed her condition and arrested her. At 4.40 p.m. sh« wae examined by a doctor, who jjave a certificate Mating- she was in a state of intoxication and unfit to have charge of a

On behalf of the accused. Mr P, A. Sinjrer «*a i<l Mrs. Batchelor had l>een to the races, where somebody had unfortunately supplied her with' some liquor. At the time of her arrest her husband and another woman were with her. Unfortunately the husband could not drive a car. He did not think *he was unf-t to drive, and quite possibly, if =he had driven off. she would have" driven with the iitiiKmt safety.

"My client has never been in trouble hefore—not even for a by-law breach," added Mr. Singer, "so I trust, your Worship will deal leniently with her. A married woman with a family, she regrets the incident and naturally, she is feelirifr ashamed of herself—severe punishment for any woman.' , "In these cases imprisonment ih given with the object of deterring people from drinkin>: and pointr into motor cars," said the magistrate, "but fortunately there are. so few cases where women are concerned that jt is not necessary to inflict imprisonment as a warninp. If 1 impose a line in this pane, the penalty will only fall on the husband and the family. So I propone to take an exceptional course and admit this woman to probation for \Z months. , ' Afrs. Batchelor's driving license was cancelled, no other to issue for two years.