LICENCE ISSUED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1941, Page 9

LICENCE ISSUED

A DISQUALIFIED DRIVER

DEPARTMENT'S ACTION

POINTED COMMENT

Pointed comment on the issue by the Commissioner of Transport of a licence, on behalf of the Army, to Aden Harry August Pearson, soldier mechanic and linesman, was made by Mr, J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, bPearson, who is aged 31, appeared before the Court on a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a car in Bunny Street on Saturday night. It was stated by the police that he had been convicted of a similar offence last year, and had been prohibited from holding a licence for a period of five years. "I think the Army should be told that where a person has been gaoled, and has had two or three convictions for being intoxicated in charge of a car, he should have no warrant to drive anything on the road," said the Magistrate. "They can let him drive round camp if they like." Pearson pleaded not guilty to the charge of intoxication, and not guilty to driving without a licence. On hearing the plea, the Magistrate asked the accused if he had a licence, This was produced by Sub-Inspector G. H. Lambert, who said that it was issued by the Commissioner of Transport. Sergeant J. C. Fletcher, who »gave evidence that Pearson was asleep in a car in front of the station at 8.50 p.m. . on Saturday, said that he inspected the -licence, but decided that it was not valid in view of Pearson's disqualification. Pearson said that when he was in Papakura Camp as a mechanic he had to do a certain amount of driving. He told the offlcer in charge what had happerfed to hip licence, and the officer said he . would have to see. about -it and try to get one issued^ under the Emergency Regulations, "All the same," said the Magistrate, "I don't think the Commissioner of Transport had any right to issue a licence when the Court has said you are not to have one." CHARGES DISMISSED. After medical evidence had been heard, the Magistrate dismissed the charge of intoxication, and remarked, concerning the other charge, that the Court could not convict if the man thought he was driving with a valid licence. The charge was dismissed. "I think," said the Magistrate to the sub-inspector, "that you had better hold the licence and get in touch with the transport people and- ask why the licence was issued in view of the Court's disqualification.. I don't know that the Army has any right to allow a man to drive a motor-car on the road if the Court has disqualified him."