A HECTIC RIDE

Evening Star, Issue 19198, 15 March 1926, Page 4

A HECTIC RIDE

DRIVER ADMITS DRUNKENNESS FINED; LICENSE SUSPENDED HO NEW LICENSE FOR FURTHER YEAR Intoxicated in charge of his taxi car* Walter Rainbriclge drove up Macliiggan street on Saturday. Ho collided with a lorry, suffering considerable damage, and went on into the gutter. He had four passengers in his car—a man and woman and two children. This morning in the Police Court ho was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a car. Ho was lined £lO, with witnesses’ expenses, £l, and his was suspended, ho being disqualified I'rom applying for another license within twelve months of the expiration of the picsent one. When the charge was read defendant (for whom Mr B. S. Irwin appeared) pleaded guilty. Senior-sergeant Quartcrmam explained that defendant was a licensee taxi driver. At 1 p.m. ho was driving, up Maclaggau street with four passengers in Id’s car, when lie collided with a lorry, doing himself considerable damage, ami went on into tho gutter. His condition was such that lie was arrested. In the Police Station lie demanded that a doctor he called to examine him, and nominated Dr Batchelor, who certified that lie was in a stale of intoxication, and unfit to drive a car. Mr Irwin said ho was afraid that the position was as had been stated, ami Jig knew how scripus was the view that the court took in these matters. Defendant was not an habitual drinker; on this occasion he had only two drinks when he went into an hotel for change. Ho was evidently quickly affected by drink. Counsel could pnly ask His Worship to deal with defendant as leniently as possible. . .It was slated that defendant find been a taxi driver for two months. Mr Bartholomew: .If anything, an offence of this nature by a taxi driver is more serious than by a private individual. It seems to me ho is unfitted to drive a taxi if he gets into this condition.

Tile penalty already described was inflicted.