GAOL FOR DRIVER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 12

GAOL FOR DRIVER

INTOXICATION CASE MOTOR MECHANIC GUILTY "MUST PROTECT PUBLIC" COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE [BY TKLEGHAPII OWN CORRESPONDENT] HASTINGS, Wednesday " I am satisfied this man was in a stato of intoxication while in charge of a car. The time has arrived, not only I in my own opinion, but in the opinion of my brother magistrates for something more than a fine in such cases. Hero was a boy knocked over; if he had been killed there would have been a charge of manslaughter. Fortunately, he was only injured, but this must be taken into consideration in imposing punishment. The onus in these cases is now on defendants to show cause why they should not be imprisoned. Wo must protect the public." The foregoing pronouncement was made by Mr. <T. Miller, S.M., when in the Hastings Magistrate's Court this morning, Reginald John Farrance May, aged 82, motor mechanic, of Hastings faced two charges, one of being in a stato of intoxication while in charge of a motor vechicle, and the other of driving negligently. Accused was convicted on both charges and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, while his licence was cancelled for six months. The charges were the outcome of an accident at Haumoana on Sunday, September 20, when a boy, Ross Smith, was knocked down by a car driven by May, receiving a broken noso and other injuries.