GUILT ADMITTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 10

GUILT ADMITTED

INTOXICATED DRIVER OVERTAKEN BY CONSTABLE THREE WEEKS' IMPRISONMENT A plea of. guilty was entered by Jack Neville Crowle, labourer, aged 34, when he was charged in the Police Court yesterdr with being intoxicated while in of a motor-car in Karangahape Pond on October 28. Accused also admitted a charge of driving a motor-car on the same date when lie was not the holder of a driving licence.

Senior-Sergeant Joyce said that at about 10.30 p.m. on October 28 a constable saw a car being driven in an erratic manner in Ponsonby lload. A motor-cyclist gave the constable a lift and the car was overtaken in Karangahape Road and stopped. Accused, who was driving, was under the inlluence of liquor. Ho was subsequently examined by a doctor who certified that he was unfit to drive a car.

According to accused he had tome to a. party that night but had tlecided to remain in his car when he reached the house where tho party was being held, the senior-sergeant added. In the car the police found four empty "riggers." Accused's explanation for zig-zagging in front of a motor-cycle when returning to the city from New Lynn where the party was held was that he thought the motor-cyclist was a friend and he had decided to "have some fun." From 1 the dock accused said that when being examined by the police he was able to walk straight. He had also showed them how to start. his car, including which key to use. The magistrate, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, sentenced accused to three weeks' imprisonment with hard labour. For not having a driving licence, he was convicted and discharged. MAORI OFFENDER p <'CHILD-LIKE MIND" A middle-aged Maori, Peter Daniel (Mr 'Rogers), pleaded guilty before Mr F H Levien, S.M., in the Onehuiiga Police Court yesterday to being intoxicated while in charge of a motorcar. Constable H. A. Bolton said that on seeing a. car parked at a dangerous in Queen Street, Onehunga, on October 21, he discovered defendant sitting at the wheel in a state of intoxication, trying to start the vehicle. Sergeant S. A. Brown said that Dr. A. L. Noakes had certified that defendant was too drunk to drive. Mr. Rogers urged that, as defendant was unable to read, he should be treated as a juvenile. He was a good worker, said counsel, and was prepared to take out a prohibition order, but having never attended school his mind was childish. The Magistrate: The child-like mind of the native is open to question. I have found Maori children fairly astute in regard to the operation of motor-cars.

Defendant was sentenced to seven days' hard labour and his licence was suspended for two years. TERM OF 14 DAYS CAR'S CAPSIZE IN PETONE . [by TELECRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIA'.'rJN] WELLINGTON, Monday In the Petone Police Court, Francis Herbert Mclvor, aged 21, was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment by Mr. A. M. Goulding, S.M., for being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car. His licence was suspended for a year. The police said accused's car overturned in the main street in Potone. Accused righted it, but it stalled and the police found accused in a state of intoxication.