DRIVERS CHARGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 305, 27 December 1939, Page 9

DRIVERS CHARGED

ONE INTOXICATED.

APPRENTICE FINED £30.

MAN IN UNIFORM ACQUITTED.

In fining a young man £30 for being in a state of intoxication while in cWge of a motor car at Birkcnhead on D.'oember 22 > Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, told him that he had gone very close to serv-

ing a term in prison

The offender was Clyde Robert Grade (21), a carpenter's apprentice. H o pleaded guilty to the charge and was represented by Mr. K. C. Aekine.

Sub-Inspector Pender said TrafficInspector Pratt saw Gracie in a motor ear near the Birkenbaad wharf at 10 p.m. on December 22, and on n- o in" to epeak to him about the tail-light on the car he noticed that Gracie was under the influence of liquor. When Gracie got out of the car he wae unsteady on his feet. After going to the Birkenhead police station Gracie was examined by Dγ, K. H. Holdgate, who certified that while he was not actually drunk, Gracie was certainly not in a tit state to be in charge of a motor vehicle. This was Grade's first appearance in Court, Mr. Pender added. Had Three Beers. "Tliie is a case of a young man taking drink when he is not used to it," said Mr. Aekins. On the way back to Birkenhead from Muriwai Beach, Gracie stopped at Albany, where he had three long beers. The week previously he had been laid up with influenza and no doubt the liquor had taken effect upon him in his weakened condition. In view of Gracie'e age and the whole circumstances of the case, counsel aeked the magistrate not to start the young man off with a prison term, but to impose a fine upon him. His condition could not have been very bad as the traffic-inspector permitted him to drive the car to the police station. Mr. Walker:lt ie very ead to see such a young chap start this business. The circumstances would indicate that he was not drunk because the trafficinspector was prepared to allow him to drive the car after he accosted him. I am prepared to extend leniency and inflict a fine on the condition that he shall take out a prohibition order. He hae had a narrow escape from goin« to prison.

In imposing a fine of £30, which could be paid in monthly instalments of £2, the magistrate said fhis would bring the matter home to Gracie for some time to come. Gracie's driving license was cancelled. No other Iβ to be issued for 18 months.