Magistrate’s Warning To Intoxicated Drivers.

Northern Advocate, 24 April 1944, Page 4

Magistrate’s Warning To Intoxicated Drivers.

‘‘Until recently I have invariably imposed terms of imprisonment with hard labour on intoxicated motorists, the reason being the seriousness of the consequences. Today this class oJ. offence has been checked but I hope there will not be a Recurrence. If any mere cases come before the court the practice of imposing imprisonment will be resumed." These comments were made by the magistrate (Mr Raymond Ferner) in the Whangarei Court today when imposing fines against two Maoris. Frederick Pohe, 29, and Hoey Martin, 18, each of whom admitted being intoxicated while in charge of a motor car.

Senior-Sergeant A. Henderson said that a car had smashed into a butcher’s shop at Kamo and the three occupants had been taken to hospital.. Pohe was owner of the car, which had been driven by Martin, who was not an experienced driver and had no driver’s license. Both admitted having had liquor in Whangarei. Martin had explained that when turning into Three Mile Bush Road the steering had appeared to lock, the other occupants of the car had shouted at him, he had become excited and had forgotten to put on the brakes.

For the accused, Mr D. Ross submitted that the state of intoxication was not grave. Polio, who had been overseas with the Maori Battalion in the Second Echelon, returning with the first furlough draft, had put all his service money into the car for which he had paid £IGS. So disgusted had he been after the accident that he had .sold it for £ls and therefore had lost £l5O. Martin had had only a few drinks. Mr Ross submitted that because of Polio’s loss. Martin's youth and the fact that the state of intoxication had not been serious fines should be imposed.

Pohe was fined £5 with costs and Martin £lO with costs. Pohe's driving licence was cancelled and he was declared incapable of holding a licence for 12 months. Martin, who did not have a licence, was also declared incapable of holding a license for 12 months.