INTOXICATED DRIVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19302, 15 April 1926, Page 12

INTOXICATED DRIVER.

FINE OF £SO IMPOSED. LORRY STRIKES A CAR. NO REDEEMING FEATURE. "I can see no redeeming feature in this case at all; there have been other cases of this sort, but this is a bad one, and fines do not seem to be stopping the offence," said Mr. F; K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, in imposing a fine of £SO, in default six weeks' imprisonment, npon a carrier, Edward Ashton Adams (Mr. Moody), for being in a stale of intoxication while in charge of a motor-lorry on Panmure Road on the evening of February 20. Joseph Hamilton said he was sitting in his car at the side of the road shortly after six o'clock on the evening in question. His wife was the only other occupant. The vehicle was stationary, and on the left-hand side of the roadway, facing Auckland. Accused was driving his lorry toward the city, and on approaching the motor-car swerved to the left and crashed into the left-hand back wheel, which was almost on the grass. There were three other men on the heavier vehicle, and they were all thrown out, two receiving slight injuries. Repairs to witness' car cost £35.

Henry Gregory said he saw accused's lorry being driven at a reckless speed before the accident. He took the number of the vehicle, as he considered tho driver was under the influence of liquor.

Charles Tattersall, who arrived on tho scene shortly after the collision, said he did not think Adams was drunk, although the other men were all in a helpless state. He lifted one man off the grass three times, and he fell down again immediately on each occasion. Constable Ryan read a statement in which accused said he was travelling at about 15 miles an hour at the time. Ho had been unable to control the steeringgear before the lorry swerved as a tire had blown out. Witness said he had known accused for some years and he had always found hiro a sober man.

Three witnesses were called for the defence, each stating that they had seen Adams shortly after the impact, and considered that he was in a fit state to drive.

"I propose to convict on both charges," said the magistrate. "Here is a man with three others in the lorry, all being drunk in my opinion, while a man and his wife are in a stationary car on a country road. They might quite easily have lost their lives. Accused will bo fined £SO, in default six weeks' imprisonment. I will make no order as to when a new license is to be issued to him. If he takes out a prohibition order and satisfies the traffic authorities and tho police he may get it back. Mr. Moody: Will you allow time to pay, sir ?

The Magistrate: No, I will not. It is no punishment to spread these fines over Jong periods. How long will it take him to get a bill of sale on his vehicle ?

Counsel: Possibly you could make it 14 days. Fifty pounds does not grow on a mulberry bush.

The Magistrate: Well I will give him seven days to pay.