MOTORIST CHARGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 15

MOTORIST CHARGED.

INTOXICATION ALLEGED.

"CHASED A BLACK CAT." Contending that he did not drive the car, although he was in charge of it, having borrowed it from a friend, Raymond Emanuel, aged 33, pleaded not guilty in the Police Court yesterday when charged with being in charge of a motorcar while in a state of intoxication.

"This is an interesting case from the motorist's point of view," said Till - . Dickson, for accused. " The definition of tho word ' charge ' is in dispute." Police evidence was to the effect that a constable's attention had been drawn to the car, as it travelled along Customs Street about midnight recently, by hilarious shouting. Ho then noticed it accelerated and chased a black cat, which ran across its path. It zigzagged, then a tyre blew out, and it stopped near the footpath. When he asked for tho driver Emanuel came forward. On the arrival of another policeman- accused was taken to , the police station, where he was charged with intoxication. Emanuel said in evidence that he was on his way home from a " farewell" party at the time of his arrest. He was in the back of the car, which was being driven by a friend named Wedgewood. He admitted the car was in his charge because he had borrowed it, but he was not driving it, and contended he was therefore not guilty of the charge against him.

Four witnesses called for the defence said Emanuel did not drive the car, and he was sober.

The hearing was adjourned until this morning.