Intoxicated in Car

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 49, 28 February 1938, Page 2

Intoxicated in Car

FINED From Our Own Corresnondimt. WAIPUKURAU, Feb. 25. A fine of £ls for driving a motor-cai while in a state of intoxication was imposed on Herbert Halsweli Lewis by Mr J. Miller, S.M., in the Waipukurau Magistrates Court to-day. In addition, Lewis was ordered to pay costs, £1 0/6 and his driving licence was suspended until June, 1939. Mr C. G. Harker appeared for defendant. Constable D. H. Sutton stated that at about 6.20 p.m. on the day in question, Constable Thomasen received word of an accident in the main street. When he reached the scene, it was found that defendant’s car had collided with a local taxi when he was backing out from the kerb. Defendant was examined by a doctor and found to be intoxicated. The police considered that the defendant should be deprived of the use of his car. “A bit of exercise won’t do him any harm,” remarked Constable Sutton. No one was injured in the accident. Defendant’s solicitor said that the scene of the accident was a difficult place for backing out and it was hard to see if another car was coming. It was quite possible that the fact of defednant being in a state of intoxication was not the cause of the accident. However, as defendant had admitted to the police, he had taken out a prohibition order, and in view of this Mr Harker thought that no penalty should be inflicted. For driving a motor truck on Porangahau road, at a speed considered dangerous to the public, Walcott Eyre Wilder Ormond was fined £4 with costs 10/-. Defendant wrote pleading guilty, stating that his excuse was that he was late for an appointment and was in a hurry. The police stated that Constable Thomasen saw defendant at 8 p.m. and estimated his speed past the public hospital at about 60 miles an hour. There was not much traffic about, Constable Sutton stated, but there were two side streets.

“The speed was far too excessive,” commented the magistrate in fixing the penalty.