INTOXICATED DRIVER SENT TO GAOL

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22727, 3 June 1939, Page 11

INTOXICATED DRIVER SENT TO GAOL

(press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, June 2. When ho pleaded guilty to charges of intoxication while in charge of a motor-truck, of having insufficient lights, and of not having proper brakes, William Hector Mitchinson, aged 35. a farmer, marie a request, through the City Missioner, the Rev. Jasper Calder, to be sent to prison, as even if he could raise the money to pay the fine it would fall on his wife and young children. Mr Calder sa'd the accused had been living in a little shack in the back country, and was doing well until he took liquor yesterday.. It was unfortunate that alcoholic trouble kept recurring, but the accused was sincerely penitent. The police said that a traffic officer saw Mitchinson, at 6.20 p.m., driving an erratic course, although on his correct side. He narrowly escaped a collision with another car. 'The Magistrate. Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., said he would have sent the accused to prison even without the request, and sentenced him lo two weeks’ imprisonment. His licence was cancelled for three years. On the two minor charges he was convicted and d ischa rged.