“A MOST SERIOUS THING”.

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 4

“A MOST SERIOUS THING”.

MOTOR SALESMAN ' DRUNK IN' CAR Dominion Special. . • ■ Dunedin, January 21. O’Hara Donald O'Hara admitted ' to Mr. H. W. Bundle, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, that on January 20 lie was intoxicated while in charge of a car in Pine Hill Terrace. Sub-Inspector Fahey said that defendant, in avoiding a tramcar that stopped ahead of 'him, crashed into the footpath and a telegraph pole, serL ouslv damaging' the car. Interviewing him later, , a constable found that he was drunk. . . For the defendant, Mr. J. S. Sinclair said this was a serious matter for O'Hara, a respectable married man, with no previous conviction, whose livelihood was the selling of motorcars. "He was not really under the influence,” said counsel. “He had four drinks onlv, and, anyway, when he got into this tight corner he did the correct "thing in acting as- he did.” . * . ' The, Magistrate: . The state he yyas in was responsible for getting him into that. position with his car. Mr. Sinclair: I admit that he should not have been drunk, biit he’ pulled up very suddenly, and did the only thing possible. A small fine might meet the charge, in which case the man’s employers would be prepared to retain hint in their service, reporting him to the police if he showed any sign of taking liquor. . . „ “A most serious thing it is, said His Worship, “when a man has to admit intoxication while in charge of a car. It cannot lightly be passed over, for the offence is aggravated, rather than minimised, . by the tact that selling cars (which involves much driving) is defendant’s ■ livelihood. O’Hara will be fined £lO, and prohibited from driving for six months." Mr. Sinclair: I hesitate to appeal again , Mr. Bundle: It is unfortunate that a man is deprived of his livelihood, but it is essential that those whose work involves the driving of cars should be extremely careful. “But there is nothing previously known against this man s character; rejoined counsel. The Magistrate: It is not a question of character, but rather of the public safety. There can be no leniency in these cases