Drinking Parties In Ferry On Harbour

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30173, 3 July 1963, Page 16

Drinking Parties In Ferry On Harbour

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 2. Mr D. F. Dugdale said in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland today that his client had drunk too much on a ferry which cruised round Auckland harbour holding drinking, gambling and dancing parties.

Before Mr F McCarthy, S.M., was Brian Ernest Wilkins, aged 18. a production clerk, who pleaded guilty to driving a car on the harbour bridge motorway while under the influence of drink or drugs. The Magistrate convicted Wilkins and placed him on probation for three years, ordered him to pay £4O toward the cost of prosecution, to abstain from liquor and not to own a car without the consent of the probation officer. His licence was cancelled for three years. Senior-Sergeant G. A. Dallow said that at 10.30 pjn. on June 28 there was an accident on the motorway involving six cars. Two police cars and two bridge vehicles, all using flashing red lights, attended the accident. Two luminous accident signs were placed on the road and a constable and a bridge official were also on the road to reduce the speed of the traffic. Senior - Sergeant Dallow said that at 12.15 a.m. Wilkins was driving his car at high speed toward the scene of the accident. The officers attempted to flag him down He ignored them and they had to jump off the road to avoid being knocked down

Wilkins knocked over both accident signs before his car stopped. He had to be assisted from his car by the police Wilkins was examined three-quarters of an hour later and certified by a doctor as unfit to drive. “There is no doubt ths accused is guilty of the offence,” said Mr Dugdale. “But there are other guilty people also who are not standing in the dock—they are the people responsible for the function which Wilkins went to and where he obtained the alcohol.”

“I couldn't agree more.” said the Magistrate. "I only regret they are not before the Court."

Mr Dugdale said Wilkins had gone to a drinking party on a ferry which cruised round the harbour giving beer, gambling and dancing parties. Wilkins was an immature boy, he said, yet be was able to get on the ferry without any introduction—just by paying his £1 admission fee. “It was only to be expected that he would drink too much in those circumstances.'’ he said. “I find myself in complete agreement with what Mr Dugdale has said about the floating palace,” said the Magistrate. To Senior-Sorgeant Dallow. the Magistrate said: ”1 hope this ferry received the usual prompt and efficient attention of the Police Force. There la enough sly-grogging in the city without taking to the harbour.”