INTOXICATED MOTORIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19512, 16 December 1926, Page 17

INTOXICATED MOTORIST.

CAR STRIKES SAFETY ZONE. FINE AND LICENCE CANCELLED. .'Drunkenness while in charge of a motorcar in Queen Street was admitted in the Police Court yesterday by Cecil .Vincent Connolly. "The circumstances are that accused collided with a safety zone in Queen Street at 12.35 this morning," said Sergeant Calwell. "One passenger was thrown out and injured, not very seriously. When a constable came on the scene accused was in a state of intoxication." '"Connolly is a well-known business man," said Mr. Towle, who appeared for accused. "VVe do not deny the drunkenness, but we do say that, it was not great. He had been out for tho evening playing billiards, aud just before he left he took two drinks;. Then in turning from Victoria Street into Queen Street he hit (ho safety zone. A misty rain was falling at the time, and the accident was more duo to an error of judgment." The Magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt: This was early in the morning, wasn't it? I've had people up here drunk in charge of cars at five o'clock in the evening. Counsel; Yes, Your Worship, and there was also the misty rain. The Magistrate: Well, it was late. Hud the accident happened earlier ■ I would have fined him £10(7. As it is, lie will be fined £2O and, his licence will be cancelled for six months. Counsel submitted that the cancellation of accused's driver's licence might be waived. Tho car was indispensable to him in his business. The Magistrate : It is the best way of showing people that if they want to take drink they must keep out of motor-catrs. No, his licence will be cancelled for six months. Counsel; An application for suppression of name—- . The Magistrate: Would be useless. PRCSECiUTIOH' AT BLENHEIM,, NOT TO DRIVE FOR TWO • YEARS. .[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] BLENHEIM, Wednesday. Thomas Renwiek, <runholcleir, who was charged in the Police Court this morning with driving a motor-car when intoxicated, pleaded guilty and was fined £lO. His driver's, licence was suspended, and he was disqualified from holding a licence for a further two years.-