NOVEL OFFER BY MAN CHARGED WITH DRUNKENNESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1947, Page 2

NOVEL OFFER BY MAN CHARGED WITH DRUNKENNESS

A suggestion that a photograph of himself should be taken and a copy appended to a prohibition order to be issued to the various hotels was made in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth this morning by Harry Bruce, who was arrested last evening in High street for drunkenness. He pointed out to the Magistrate, Mr A. A. McLachlan, .S.M., that as he had recently arrived in Greymouth from Christchurh and was practically unknown, the mere issue of a prohibition order might not effectively prevent him from obtaining liquor. Mr McLachlan suggested to the defendant, who was arrested at 10 o’clock and released from the lockup at 3 o’clock this morning, that it might be better for him to discipline himself. He pointed out that the defendant had been convicted twice previously in the past six months for drunkenness, and if he did not stop drinking he would kill himself in a couple of years. “The real position is that you should get 14 days,” said Mr McLachlan, “but as you are an old soldier and a victim of circumstances, and have a real desire to pull yourself together, I will impose a fine of £2, in default four days’ imprisonment. If you come before the court again for drunkenness, however, you know what will have to happen.” The Magistrate, who did not direct that a prohibition order be taken out as he considered a voluntary effort on the part of the defendant would carry more weight, allowed a week in which to pay the fine of £2.