ASKS FOR PRISON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 128, 2 June 1939, Page 9

ASKS FOR PRISON.

INTOXICATED IN CAR.

FARMER GETS TWO WEEKS.

CITY MTSSIONER'S PISA. The wish of a farmer. William Hector Mitehinson f3.>V. was <rranted by Mr. C. B. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, when Mitehinson got what he wanted—a sentence of imprisonment for being in a state of intoxicationwhile in charge of a motor truck in Oreat Xoith Road vesterdav.'

Mitehinson was further charged with driving a vehicle with insufficient lights and operating his truck which was not equipped with brakes a* required by the traffic regulations. He pleaded guilty.

St'iiior-Sergrant Oalwell .-aid a highways truffle nlHccr saw Mitchinson about (>.2i» p.m. yesterday driving an erratic course, although the truck wa* on the correct si<lo of the road. However, it tune went over the centre line and narrowly escaped collision with another ear. It was an old truck, the hand hrake being found to be defective, but the foot, brake was satisfactory. "His condition was *>ncli that had he not been apprehended it is possible he might have met with a kctioih accident," adde<l Mr. (.'a 1 well. "Some liquor was found in his truck. He is addicted to drink, ii nd Miice lie was prohibited in V,V.i~ he hiiii twice .-ince lieen charged with a breach of the order and once for drunkenness.

On behalf of Mitchinson, the Ttev. Jasper ("abler -aid accused asked that he he. sent to prison. 'Even if he couhl rai-e money to pay a tine, it would only fall <m the wife and three young! chiidreu." said Mr. (abler. "With bis family he ha- been living ill a little, -hack' rir/hi out in the country and cloinjr v. ~11 uiiiil lio took some liquor yet-ter- j ihiy. It. is most unforunate that this; iilc'oholic trouble keeps recurring, but I| do know hi* penitence, for what hap- • pencil yesterday is sincere. It is dis- | ,i-trous for him as he went into the. | country iu an attempt to keep away from l'inunr. Xow that he will l<*e his, liceniae, his family will have' to come | l>aek nearer the 'city. Whatever sen- . teiice your Worship inflicts. T would ask ; that it be the shortest term consistent with the nffetiee." Mr. Orr Walker: Coin? out on the public hifilnvar with a truck with a defective brake U a serious matter in itself, but it i- wo we ■when the driver of nuch a vehicle is intoxicated. I j would have scut accu-ed to prison even without his request." > MitchiiiMin was sentenced to two ! week-' iui|irisonment, his licoiwe beinpr c.iucellfd for three years. On the two j lesser «'hnrj»o* he was convictetl and dis- j charged. j