ACCIDENT SEQUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 15

ACCIDENT SEQUEL

MOTORIST CHARGED DISMISSAL "OF CASE [llY TKf.K(;ItAPH OWN ('OKItKSPONJ)KNT ] HAMILTON, Monday "Just how far his ability to drive was affected by the amount of alcohol he had consumed it is impossible to say. J think, however, that defendant should be given the benefit of the doubt." This comment was made by Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Hamilton Police Court to-day in dismissing the case in which William (•ranch Robertson, a commercial traveller, of Northcote, Auckland, was charged with driving a motor-car while in a state of intoxication. The case was a sequel to an accident which took place on the Great South Road at Horotiu on the night of I'ebruary 20. Defendant's car was involved in a collision with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction and driven by Robert Langton. Dr. A. G. Waddell. of Hamilton, who examined defendant after the accident, said it would be a difficult thing to sav that he was unfit to drive. Examined by his counsel, Mr. X. S. Johnson, defendant stated that he had been driving since 1!'24 and had averaged about 20,000 miles a year. Since, that time lie hail not had one accident with a motor-car.