MOTOR-DRIVER'S LICENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19951, 21 May 1928, Page 12

MOTOR-DRIVER'S LICENCE.

SUSPENSION TERMINATED. REVIEW BY THE MAGISTRATE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J WELLINGTON. Saturday. The ten years' suspension of his driver's licence, imposed on John Towers on November 18, 1925, when he was convicted on a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car, was the subject of an application, made under section 122 of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1927, in the Magistrate's Court today, before Air. E. Page, S.M. Supporting the application, Mr. W. E. Leicester said that Towers was fined £lO in July, 1924, for being intoxicated while in charge of a car. His licence was not suspended, but when lie appeared before the magistrate in November, 1925, on a similar charge, he was fined £3O and his licence was suspended for ten years. Witnesses' expenses and counsel's fee, with the fine, made a total of £45. In addition Towers had had to pay £2l for hospital charges and repairs to a bicycle, as the result of an accident connected with the second charge. He was dismissed from the Civil Service, in which he was receiving the maximum salary, and was out of work for ten months. Counsel said Towers had since obtained a responsible position with a motor firm, and the suspension of his driver's licence was handicapping him in his work. Tile application was for a review of the period of suspension, in view of the circumstances outlined. Towers had taken out a prohibition order in November, 1925, and had renewed it each year since that time. Sub-Inspector Lander said the police had no objection to the period of suspension being reviewed. "This matter is, I think, one for review," said the magistrate. " I think that the applicant has learnt his lesson. He has had two and a-half years of suspension now, and I consider that is adequate. I propose to make the period of suspension two and a-half years, instead of ten years." The period of suspension thus expired yesterday and Towers would be free to apply for another licence at any time.