COURT DECISIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 11, 13 January 1940, Page 6

COURT DECISIONS.

DRIVERS AND DRINK. ALLEGED DISCREPANCIES. HEARING BY MAGISTRATES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) GJSBQRttE, this day. - Alleged discrepancies in Court decisions in regard to men charged with being intoxicated while driving motor vehicles were pointed out by Mr. V. Butler at a meeting of 'the Gisbornc advisory committee of the Automobile Association (Auckland), when' he quoted decisions in nine recent cases that had been heard throughout the Dominion. It was decided to defer the matter for discussion at the animal meeting of the Association next month. Mr* Butler said that there were six cases in which the accused persons had been sentenced to gtiol for periods from a week to a fortnight. Then a Maori "had been filled £5 for having been intoxicated in charge of a motor cycle in the Bay of Plenty. That case had been heard by justices of the peace. In another case ill the same district, taken in a similar Court, a Maori was lined £25. In the latter case the Maori had no license and for that he was lined £1. He had also taken the vehicle, and for that olfence Was punished by a line of £«». . ; Mr. -Butler; suggested that a recommendation should be placed before parent- body to the effect that the hearing of intoxication casts.throughout the j Dominion should be conducted by stipen-| diary magistrates.