POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 21640, 8 February 1934, Page 10

POLICE COURT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) FARMER INTOXICATED IN CAR. Robert- Lewis Astloy Campbell pleaded guilty to a charge of being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car in Princes street. Sergeant Boulton told the court that at 7.30 last night Campbell was seen in his car in Princes street in an intoxicated condition. He was a farmer at' Hillend, and was on a visit to the city. The sergeant added that inquiries showed that Campbell was a de- ■ cent member of society, and was not likely to offend again. Cancellation of his license would undoubtedly be a great hardship to him. He was not driving when he was arrested, but just ■' getting into the car. For the defendant Air D. Solomon said that he was not in the habit of t coming to the city regularly, nor Was he a heavy drinker. Yesterday lie met some friends and had more than was good ' for him. Counsel pointed out that his client had spent many years in the East; and while there contracted malaria. He was being treated for slowness of the pulse at the present time. Air Solomon said that it was not necessary for him to point out the effect of a small amount of liquor on such a man. He asked that Campbell should not be prohibited from driving. His car was a steam one, and it would be difficult to obtain au3 - one to drive for him. “The gravity of this particular .type of offence has often been stressed, and it is the almost invariable practice of the court to impose cancellations of licenses,” said the magistrate. Exceptional circumstances were required to withhold cancellation. This case was no doubt different from that of a city driver. Taking all the facts into consideration, His Worship decided that he would not cancel the license. Campbell would be convicted and fined £2O. OBTAINED CREDIT BY FRAUD. George Alexander Low was charged with obtaining credit by fraud (incurring a debt with Reena Wright for £1 8s 6d). He pleaded guilty. Detective-sergeant Doyle said that the complainant was a widow who kept a boarding house and let rooms. Late in December Low called upon her and represented that he, was “ .Jack Henderson ” and out of work. He paid 7s (id for a room for one week, and told Airs Wright that when he obtained employment he would board there. Shortly after Low claimed that he had secured permanent employment with a South Dunedin firm, and, on this representation, was given board and dodging. He evaded settlement, and then collected his belongings and left. Low had been deported from Australia, and was arrested on his arrival in New Zealand oh a charge in connection with the theft of some furs. Y’esterday he was acquitted of this charge in the Supreme Court. This present offence was committed while he was awaiting trial on bail. A friend had paid up the full amount of the board. He was undoubtedly destitute when he incurred the debt, and had no possible chance of paying it. The police had no desire to he hard on him, but he had a bad list and numerous convictions in both New Zealand and Australia. “I had no intention of taking Airs .Wright down,” declared Low. ' “ You told deliberate lies in order to get in with her,” said the magistrate. “ Fortunately the woman has . suffered no loss, but matters might easily have taken a different course. Yeu have a bad record.” Low was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment.