VISITING DOCTOR FINED FOR DRIVING UNDER INTOXICATION

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1949, Page 2

VISITING DOCTOR FINED FOR DRIVING UNDER INTOXICATION

A visiting Christchurch medical practitioner, Douglas Peter Kennedy (Mr C. R. McGinley) yesterday pleaded; guilty in the Police Court at Greymouth, to a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car. He was fined £2'o, his license was cancelled for 12 months, and he was ordered to pay £1 Is medical expenses and 10s Court costs. . Senior Sergeant R. C. Mcßobie said that at 11.30 p.m. on Saturday, Trafnc Inspector Macefield saw defendant s car travelling in a zig-zag manner. He followed the car and on stopping it saw that the driver was not in a fit condition to drive. Taken to the police station, defendant was examined by a doctor and certified as unnt to drive. , , Stating that defendant volunteered and saw six years’ service overseas, Mr McGinley said that Kennedy had suffered severe facial injuries which brought on severe headaches when he was fatigued. He had spent four days down coal mines and the fifth in bush workings, exertion to which he was unused. He attended a theatre on Saturday evening, and on returning to his hotel had had a whisky in an effort to relieve his headache. He then decided to visit a medical friend to secure some treatment. The effect of the whisky and the cool air had been adverse on him, and he had been foolish to continue. As he had to drive about 1000 miles each month, it would have an adverse effect on his employer if he lost his license, said counsel, adding that defendanthad been driving for 17 years without a mishap. Counsel submitted that there were special reasons why the license should not be cancelled, including the fact that defendant’s headache had led him into the position in which he found himself due to war injuries and the circumstances of his employment. The Court could not take into account any man’s position, said Mr M. J. Fogarty, who with Mr O. E. Henry, Justices, was on the bench A man in charge of a car, found guilty of iiroxication must automatically lose nis license, and this had been the view of the courts as well as of magistrates. “In this case,' wo are sorry to have to do it,’’ said Mr Fogarty.