DRUNKEN DRIVER PROBLEM

Evening Star, Issue 22413, 10 August 1936, Page 7

DRUNKEN DRIVER PROBLEM

MAGISTRATES CONFER GAOL. IF FINES INEFFECTIVE I Pee United Phess Association. - ] . AUCKLAND, August 8. According to a statement made by Mr Wyvern Wilson, the senior magistrate, in the, Auckland Police Court this morning, _ when John William Kinder, an engineer, pleaded guilty to being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a car, the Auckland magistrates have been in conference regarding intoxicated motorists. Sub-inspector Pox told of a" minor collision between the accused’s car and another car. The driver of the other car had warned Kinder not to drive, but the warning had been ignored. The constable who arrested Kinder saw a woman in the_ car place two bottles under a cushion. An investigation showed ■ that the bottles contained whisky and wine. The woman? was quite sober. Kinder had been convicted of a similar offence in- 1928. For the accused Mr Sellar said his client had had only two nips of whisky. Kinder was showing signs of great worry. His wife had been ill for four months and he ha_d lately been doing night nursing. . . The Magistrate: I wish it ;to be understood that the magistrates in this city view this sort of .offence with great gravity, and have had a conference on the matter. These offences have been increasing lately and must be checked. The penalty is going to be severe. Motorists must realise that the law provides for imprisonment without the option. If heavy fines do not. stop them the offences will . have to bo checked by imprisonment, I want that to be widely known. If these men drive while in a state of intoxication accidents are bound to occur* accidents where death may ensue.” _ ‘ _ Kinder was fined £SO and hi* license was cancelled for two years.