GAOL FOR TAXI-DRIVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19372, 6 July 1926, Page 14

GAOL FOR TAXI-DRIVER.

CHARGE OF INTOXICATION. A SERIES OF COLLISIONS. MIXING OF DRINKS BLAMED. A sentence of seven days' imprisonment for being intoxicated when in charge of a motor-car in New North Road, Kingsland, on June 27, was imposed on a taxi-driver; Austin Gilbert Durban, aged 50 (Mr. Learv). by Mr. J. W. Povnton. S.M.. tn the Police Court yesterday. % Ivan Andrew, a motor dealer in business tn New North Road, said that at 11.45 p.m. on June 27 he drove a car from Morrin Street tnto North Road. While turning he saw another car about 100 yd»: along the road, and a few moments later his car received a bump from the back. On investigating he. found accused's car practically at right angles to the tram tracks, with the back wheels on the tracks. Accused was sitting in the car. A few moments later a tramcar came along and bumped into the car. Accused then drove it into a vacant section. When he started it again it collided with some kerbstones in the section, and was brough* to a standstill. When witness approached accused to speak to him hj« could smell liquor in the car, and could tell that accused had been drinking, ( but did not think he had had much. From the way he drove on to the section witness did not think he was in a fit condition to drive a car. Witness sent for the police when be smelt liquor. Ivan Lawrence Denize, motor salesman, who was a passenger in Andrew's car, said that when accused left his car ho was unsteady on his feet, and smelt of liquor. He did not speak as a man would in his ordinary condition William Lang, motorman of the tram which collided with accused's car, said hj« could not say = that accused --was exactly drunk, but he appeared to have had more than one or two drinks. Accused's car was facing the vacant section, and to drive on to it was the best way to get out of the way.

Constable Annis said that when be ar. rived on the scene accused was leaning against his car. He was unsteady on his legs, and witness saw at once that he was under the influence of liquor. He was in such a state that ho could have been arrested for drunkenness without being in charge of the car. On the way to the police station accused said he had had three or four whisjkies. Later he said he had had some beer and gin. Sergeant Angland said that when brought to the police station accused was in a drunken condition. ' Witness was satisfied that he was really drunk. At three o'clock in the morning he was still affected by drink. Mr. Leary said that accused had four drinks'and made the mistake of mixing them, which he had never done previously. He had no conception that it would have such an effect as it did. Accused was a taxi driver, and wont .to pick up a fare. He was invited in, and was given a couple of beers. Without thinking he then took some gin, making what was admittedly a potent mixture. The first collision was a pure accident, and at that time accused was quite well able to control the car. He had never been in trouble before, and had simply been caught out by chance. He had merely been guilty of a slight indiscretion. He had already been severelv punished. He had to pay for the damage to Andrew's car, and was in danger of losing his means of livelihood. Counsel added that it was a mild offence, and asked that accused should be given another chance. The magistrate said it was not a very bad case, and a sentence of seven days' imprisonment. In view of accused's previous good record his license would not be endorsed.