LIQUOR AND MOTORING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 176, 26 June 1926, Page 10

LIQUOR AND MOTORING.

TAXI-DRIVER IN COURT. MAGISTRATE’S LENIENT VIEW. THAMES, June 25. In tho Magistrate’s Court before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., H. RowOj a taxi-driver, was charged with bemg drunk while in charge of a motor car and with driving at an excessive speed in Pollen street on June 19. In entering a plea of guilty on behalf of accused Mr E. . J. Clendon asked for leniency on the' grounds that Rowe was a sufferer from miner’s phthisis and was easily affected by alcoholic liquor. On tho date in question he had met a number of friends in whose company he had three drinks. Ho was later engaged by a fare on the taxi-stand and speeded along Pollen street although his car was under good - control. He was later arrested outside an hotel and admitted both charges. Dr. A. S. Gray gave evidence that Rowe was a sufferer from miner’s phthisis and fit only for a light outdoor occupation. After impressing Rowe with the seriousness of the charge the magistrate said in view of counsel’s plea and a favourable police report 110 would take a lenient view of the case. On tho first charge accused wbuld be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within two years, provided ho consented to a prohibition order for that period. On the • charge of speeding lie would bo convicted and fined £1 and costs.