GAOL FOR HINDU

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 3, 4 July 1939, Page 5

GAOL FOR HINDU

INTOXICATION CHARGE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July «. A charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor vehicle was admitted in the Otahuhu Magistrate's Court by a Hindu, Gosai Bhula, a bottle dealer, when he appeax-ed before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. The police said that Inspector Jones, of the Transport Department, had been called on Friday night by a motorist, whose car had been struck by the accused's lorry on the Great South Road. Inspector Jones had overtaken the accused at Papakura, and he had been certified by a doctor to be unfit to have charge of a motor vehicle. The accused had also been examined at his request by another doctor, who gave a similar certificate. The accused had maintained he was not intoxicated, and had not taken any liquor. • Counsel said the case was different from the usual run. The accused had been fasting that day because of his religious principles. A compatriot had given him a drink of wine, and it had affected him. The accused did not visit hotels, and was not in the habit of drinking. He was unaware that wine was of an intoxicating nature. Counsel asked for lenity, as the accused's wife had only recently arrived from India. All his savings had been put into the partial payment for his lorry. The accused was sentenced to ten days' imprisonment, and his licence was cancelled for six months. He was ordered to pay £2 2s costs.