DISASTROUS DRIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 103, 3 May 1937, Page 11

DISASTROUS DRIVE

RUSSIAN AND: FRIEND

FINES FOR INTOXICATION

(By Telesraph— I'r^s , Association.l

■DUNEDIN, This Day.

Thadee Slavensky, a member of, the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, appeared in the Police Court this morning jointly, charged with Maurice Kendrick Whale, of Lyttelton, with being intoxicated in . charge of a .car.- • . ~ ;

The police stated that when, the Russian accused was arrested at 6 p.m. yesterday he was absolutely: drunk. The other accused ha^i come from the north, meeting the'Russian-at a hotel. Whale hired a car and took his new friend for a drive. When outside the Caledonian Hotel they crashed into a pole, both being injured and requiring some attention at the hospital. The Russian was driving when the accident occurred, but- Whale's;, action showed that he was.also drunk;-since he asked his companion to take charge of his high-powered car, which was badly smashed. . >! '■

Counsel pointed out that it was a disastrous drive for the Russian. His company, left this morning, to catch a ship for Australia and Slavensky, would have to fly to Wellington. to catch it. Moreover he.had received chest injuries which would affect his work.

The Magistrate, Mr. H. W. ■ Bundle, taking into consideration the fact that the Russian was leaving New Zealand, fined him £3. Whale was fined £10 and expenses and his licence was suspended for six months.- ■-