AFTER A PARTY.

Auckland Star, Issue 18, 22 January 1940, Page 3

AFTER A PARTY.

INTOXICATED IN CAR.

ENLISTMENT CELEBRATED.

LABOURER IMPRISONED.

Arrested for being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car in Devonport on Saturday night, following a party given him by his friende to celebrate his impending departure for the war, Alexander Matthew l'utan (30), a foreman labourer, was seni to prison to-day by Mr. J. Moiling, S.M.

Putan, for whom Mr. A. V. Fraer appeared in the Police Court, pleaded guilty to the charge. Sub-Inspector Pender said Conetable Hotham was in Victoria Road, Devoriport, at 10.00 on Saturday night when he heard the crash of breaking glass, and, going to investigate, he found°that a motor car had run across the footpath near the corner of Victoria Road and Kerr Street, and had crashed into a fence. The constable found Putan at the wheel. He was uninjured but in an advanced state of intoxication. Later he was examined by a doctor, who certified that Putan was unfit to have charge of a car.

The defendant, Mr. Fraer said, was a married man with one child. Putan had enlisted and, having passed his medical examination, was accepted for service. "Unfortunately some of his friends gave him a party on Saturday night and he had several drinks," added counsel. Putan offered to drive some of his friends home and when at the intersection of Victoria Road and Kerr Street he had to make a sudden turn to avoid a parked car. He avoided the other car but struck the fence. In view of the circumstances I trust your Worship will coneider imposing a fine rather than sending this man to prison. He has been engaged on a roadmg contract and is a first-class workman."

Mr. Morling said there were no extenuating circumstances and sentenced Putan to 10 days' imprieonment. His license was cancelled for 12 monthe.