DRUNK AT THE WHEEL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 15, 17 July 1929, Page 16

DRUNK AT THE WHEEL

THREE DRIVERS PUNISHED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND. This Day

Frederick Pallette, aged 27, a motor«Uiver, was charged in the Magistrate's Court yesterday with having been found intoxicated in charge of a motor-ear on Saturday afternoon. A further charge of driving without a driver's licence was also preferred against the accused, who admitted both offences. It was stated that the accused would have been arxested for drunknenness even if lie had iat been in charge of a car. Reading the accused's list of previous convictions, the Magistrate (My. F. K. Hunt) remarked that he had been before the Court sixteen times, including three times for unlawfully converting cars. ''He has no licence or I would cancel it, but no licence is to be issued to this man for two years," continued the Magistrate, who imposed a fine of £20. The accused, who was allowed fourteen days in which to pay, was convicted and discharged on the two other charges. "This case seems to bo different from the others," remarked Mr. Hunt, when a charge oE being intoxicated when in charge of a motor-car was preferred •gainst Thomas John Harris, aged 42, a motor-driver.

The accused said he had become wet while working on Saturday morning, and had taken rum and cloves. He was not used to spirits, and when he felt it beginning to affect him he pulled his vehicle •up. He lit a cigarette and then fell asleep.

"Will you take out a prohibition order if I leave you your licence?" asked the Magistrate.

On the accused agreeing, the Magistrate imposed a fine of £5, and ordered 'the isgue of a prohibition order.

A fine of £25 was imposed on Leonard Henry Nicholson, aged 33, who was charged in the Onehunga Magistrate's Court with being intoxicated when in charge of a motor-car. The police evidence was to the effect that the accused and a friend had been »een in a car steering an erratic course through Onehunga. They had both been drinking.