GEORGE—OUT

NZ Truth, Issue 1173, 24 May 1928, Page 8

GEORGE— OUT

He Could Not Even Blame Lizzie

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Dunedin Bep.) It was a bad day for George Hunter, the uncrowned king of Wyndham, an.d. chairman of the Town Board m the sunny Southland settlement, when he endeavored to avoid publicity by absent' ing himself from court when charged with intoxication while m charge of a car. . THE genial George is better known 1 m Wyndham than the town clock and when he is not Interesting himself m giving the residents of the southern township better roads and footpaths, he is selling them, houses, farms or motor-cars. But to err apparently is human, and on the occasion of a recent visit to Dunedin, Hunter imbibed too freely and his car became anchored on the tram tracks near the Caversham terminus, thereby impeding the progress of the city-bound car. When Hunter failed to answer his name when the charge was read at the Dunedin City Police Court, it raised Magistrate Bundle's ire. In a matter of this sort the defendant should appear, as he 'was m the first place liable to imprisonment, said the Bench. • Senior Sergeant Quartermaln explained that Hunter had been personally . served with the summons at Wyndham, and pleaded guilty, to the charge. ■ ■ BY BENEVOLENT HOME Frank Collier, a tram conductor, giving' evidence for . the prosecution, said the 6.10 p.m. car from the Caversham terminus on the Great South Road had to stop outside the Benevolent Home as Hunter's car was m the middle of the track.

Going to the car he found Hunter sitting at the wheel, m a very bad way with drink, while a companion sitting beside him m the front seat was m a similar condition.

Hunter was so drunk that he "was totally incapable of moving the car.

John C. Waters, a gardener, who waa riding on the front of the tram car. said the motor swerved across from the side of the road and stopped In frbnt of the tram.

Witness went across to the car and. asked: "What's the matter with Lizzie?" - But Hunter was lying across the wheel completely foozled, and muttered some inaudible remark. ' '

' It was difficult to understand why a man charged with being., intoxicated when m charge of a car did not see fit to appear, said 'the Magistrate.

"I am considering the issue of ft warrant for his appearance. On a charge of this nature a man must appear. It is not ' sufficient just to plead guilty. Is anything known against him?" [■'■■■■

Senior-Sergeant Quartermaln: All we know of -him is m his favor. Sir. I -can understand that the man wanted to get through with as little publicity as possible. ' _

For his little indiscretion, George Hunter will have to sit m other than the driver's seat when motoring for the next twelve months, his license being cancelled. Hunter was also fined £10. r ?

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