FIRE ENGINE DRIVER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20222, 7 October 1927, Page 6

FIRE ENGINE DRIVER.

HEAVY FINE FOR DRUNKENNESS. ALLOWED TO RETAIN LICENSE. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 6. "It is usual in these cases to cancel the driving license. I shall not do it in this case, but will have to make the fine substantial,” said Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in fining Edward James Bond £2O in the • Magistrate’s Court, to-day for being in charge of a motor car while in a state of intoxication in Lichfield street yesterday. Mr Burns, who appeared for the defendant, said that his client was a single man and a driver of the fire engine, which fact boro out counsel’s contention that he very seldom touched liquor. The defendant had been affected by the few drinks he had taken. ‘ Counsel asked that his license should not be cancelled, as it was his livelihood. Sub-inspector Mathew said that three traffic inspectors and other witnesses had noticed the strange behaviour of the car which a constable had followed. The car ran on to the footpath, and the defendant had to support himself by means of the car while ho talked with the constfiblp* The Magistrate; As driver for the Fire Board this man is a semi-public official. 1 will have to make the fine substantial, and the defendant will be asked to take out a prohibition order. Default of payment is fixed at a month’s imprisonment with hard labour. He can have 14 days in which to pay.