RUSSIAN DANCER IN COURT

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 8

RUSSIAN DANCER IN COURT

DRUNK IN CHARGE DF A CAR A DISASTROUS DRIVE If there is one member of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet who has good cause to remember his visit to Dunedin it is Thadee Slavensky. In company with Maurice Kendrick Whale, of Lyttelton, ha went for a motor drive . round the Peninsula yesterday afternoon to see the sights of Dunedin, but there was a disastrous finale to the spin when he drove the car into a telegraph pole on the Anderson’s Bay road as he was returning. Both men were taken to the Hospital, where they received medical attention, and this morning they made their appearance in the Police Court to answer charges of being in charge of a motor car while intoxicated. Mr C. J. L, White appeared for both accused. “At 6 p.m. yesterday tho Russian accused was arrested,” said Senior-ser-geant Packer. “He was then absolutely drunk.” The other accused had come from the north and had met the Russian at the hotel where they were both staying. Whale hired a motor car and invited his new friend to go for a drive round the Peninsula to see the sights of Dunedin. Nothing seemed to be known of either until they reached the Caledonian Hotel on their way home. It was outside tho hotel that they crashed into the pole. Both were taken into the hotel and later removed to the Hospital, where a doctor issued a certificate that Slavensky was then drunk. The Russian had been driving tho car at the time of the accident. Whale’s actions showed that ho was also drunk, because he had asked his companion, who was a stranger to the city and an unlicensed driver, to take charge of a high-powered car. As a result of the accident the car was badly. smashedAn independent witness following in another car said the vehicle in front was not following a straight path. Mr White intimated that the Russian nleaded guilty. Whale came from Christchurch and met the dancer at the hotel, and decided to take him for a drive round tho hills. It was a disastrous drive for the Russian, whose company had left town this morning without him to catch the vessel for Australia, where they were to enter upon an extensive tour. Slavensky now had to fly to Wellington in order to join the other members of the company before they sailed for Australia. He had received chest injuries, which would affect him in his work. Whale also pleaded guilty. “ Tho circumstances in regard to the Russian are peculiar.” said Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. “Ho has suffered his own punishment. I shall take into consideration the fact that he is leaving New Zealand, and he will be fined £3. Whale will bo fined £lO and other exnensos (£1 7s 6d), and his license will be suspended for six months.” The other expenses were referred to earlier in the case, when it was stated that there was a charge for medical attention and also cab hire to be paid.