FRANK ADMISSION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 112, 8 November 1930, Page 7

FRANK ADMISSION

ERRATIC DRIVING IN CITY '•'This is not a case c. .. man who says he had only two pony shandies," admitted Mr. A. J. Mazengarb to Mr. T. B. M\Neil, S.M., to-day, when appearing for Harold Henry Wood, a salesman, aged 27, who pleaded guilty to being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car in Manners street last night. Sub-Inspector Lppdcll said that the accused, apparently having trouble with his gears, first came under the notice of Traffic Inspector Avery. He was seen by Constable Hammond when he got out of his car, and was theu in an advanced state of intoxication. Shortly afterwards he became worse. . Mr. Mazengarb said that when the accused was taken to the police station it was suggested that he should have a doctor, but he said he did not want one, admitting quite frankly that he was in no condition to drive a car. However some friends of the accused, called a doctor, who certified that the accused was intoxicated. The accused was driving along Manners street with a friend, said counsel, and it was suggested that they should go into a hotel and have another drink. The accused realised that he had had enough and he refused, whereupon the friend pulled on the hand brake, locking the wheels. They got going again, but every few yards the friend, who was apparently more intosicated than the accused, put on the hand brake. This had brought them under notice. The accused was a motor salesman and had recently been made bankrupt, aud was now out of work. Motor driving was his only means of livelihood, and counsel, although admitting that the licence must be suspended for some period, appealed t the Magistrate .to make the term, of suspension short, as without his licence, fie accused could not earn any thing. Mr. M'-tfeil said he would take into consideration the fact that the accused had been made bankrupt when fixing the monetary penalty, which he would make as light as possible under the, circumstances. The accused was fined £10. With regard to the cancellation of the licence, the Magistrate said that there had been so many accidents and deaths on the road lately that the Court had seriously' to consider an increase of the term , of suspension, not a decrease. The accus- , ed's present licence was cancelled, and he I was prohibited from obtaining another 1 Ist. NVwpmTiPr. 1931. ]