MOTOR DRIVERS IN COURT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 8, 9 July 1935, Page 11

MOTOR DRIVERS IN COURT

ONE MAN FINED £10

A charge of being intoxicated in charge .of a 1 car was made against Robert Saymour James in the Upper Hutt Court today. Mr. H. P. Lawry, S.M., was on the bench.

The defendant was represented by Mr. D. Perry, who entered a plea of guilty.

Constable C. Joss said that the defendant was found by Constable C. Stewart and Inspector J. E. Ainsworth, of the Main Highways Board, with his car drawn up on the main road at Trentham. There was no doubt he was under the influence of liquor, and Dr. Sternberg testified to that effect.

When asked by the Magistrate whether the defendant was locked up, Constable Joss replied that "one 6f his frientls happened to be sober, so they took charge of him." The defendant Was released on bail.

Mr. Perry said that the case was not a serious one. On the Saturday afternoon James left town about 3.30 p.m. to ,bring a number of friends to Trentham. During the afternoon he had a few drinks of. beer, and this apparently afiected his judgment to a certain extent. On arrival at "Jrentham two ladies who were in the car went into a house, and the three male members of the party discussed whether James should stay , the night or go back to town. James had travelled up from town at a slow speed. The case might almost be described as a borderline one. James had been driving for twelve years. An appeal was made for a small penalty.

Constable Joss pointed out that it was as the result of a complaint that the defendant was caught.

Mr. Perry replied that because of choking in the petrol pipe the car stopped and started for a time, and that was the only reason attention was drawn to the car. . '

The Magistrate stated that this was not a case where it was necessary to cancel the licence. The defendant evidently realised his condition when he stopped the car, so apparently- was not indifferent to the state he was in. A fine of £10 was imposed.

Described by Inspector J. E. Ainsworth as a "borderline case, for the defendant had a considerable amount of liquor," a charge of driving at a speed that might have been dangerous to the public was made against Evelyn Wood. Inspector Ainsworth said tha, the defendant, who was followed for two miles, travelled at from 45 to 50 miles per hour, crossing a number of intersections.

A fine of, £3 was imposed,