DRIVERS CHARGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22612, 28 December 1936, Page 13

DRIVERS CHARGED

LIQUOR ALLEGATIONS

ONE £2O FINE! INFLICTED REMAND IN OTHER CASE Two drivers of motor-cars who were arrested as the result of road accidents on Christmas Evo appeared in the Police Court before Mr. Wyvcrn Wilson, S.M., on Saturday. In each case the accused was represented by Mr. Sullivan. John William Hogan, aged 30, an engineer, pleaded guilty to a charge of being found intoxicated in charge of a motor-car in Union Street at 11.30 on Thursday night. Sub-Inspector Fox snid that a taxicab driven by Mr. Meflin was going along Union Street toward Victoria Street when a car driven by accused turned into the street from Victoria Street after almost crossing the intersection. The car swung into Union Street on the wrong side. It was alleged that the car was going too fast and the two vehicles met in a head-on collision. The taxi was pushed backward about 12ft. and both cars were fairly extensively damaged, although nobody was hurt. Examination by Doctor The police found accused in a state of intoxication, said Sub-Inspector Fox, although not drunk in the ordinary sense. Later ho was examined by a doctor, who certified that he was under the influence of liquor and unfit to be in charge of a motor-car. Accused had no previous police record.

Mr. Sullivan said that accused was a respectable young man and, as had been indicated, the degree of intoxication was really only .slight. Unfortunately Christmas Eve was regarded as an occasion to take drink by many persons who did not normally take it. The magistrate said the facts, in any case, were more serious than if accused had been actually drunk, for in his semi-drunken condition he drove his car round a corner at a speed that uas too fast.

Accused was fined £2O and costs and was disqualified from holding a driving licence for J 2 months. Remand on Bail

Another man, Victor Raymond Lawless. was charged with being found intoxicated in charge of a motor-car at 8.50 on Christmas Eve. Sub-Inspector Fox said it was alleged that accused had knocked down two women at the corner of Richmond and Ponsonbv Roads. One was still in hospital with concussion.

Accused was remanded by consent until January ]3, bail being allowed iu self at LoO. with one surety of £SO.

PRISON FOR MOTORIST COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE [ill* TKLKOKAPH —Pit ESS ASSOCIATION'] XELSOX, Saturday In sentencing to 14 days' imprisonment Leonard William Roden, who admitted a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a motor vehicle, Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.AT., said there was heavy holiday traffic 011 the roads during the holidays, and 110 doubt there would be a crop of serious accidents, probablv causing deaths. In this case the man had his wife and children in the vehicle, and if he had not been intercepted by a police sergeant he would have driven and might have caused a tragedy. "There is only one thing for it. and that is imprisonment," lie added. "That is the only course to take. If people drive cars when intoxicated they must go to gaol." . Senior-Sergeant Petersen said that accused was a relief worker with four children. Sergeant Simister had scon him in an intoxicated condition get into a truck and take the wheel. His wife and a total of seven children were waiting in the vehicle. The sergeant made an arrest in order to prevent the man from driving.