DRUNKEN DRIVERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23857, 11 July 1939, Page 7

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

YOUNG FARMER FINED SEQUEL TO POLITICAL ARGUMENT (Per United Press Association) CHRISTGHURCH, July 10. On Saturday night an argument arose concerning the Government and the Commupist Party, and during its course there was some drinking. It continued till 1 o'clock, on Sunday morning, and became very, heated. ' : Among those present was lan Sholto Douglas, who took exception to some of the remarks passed as opinions that were revolutionary, so he took his motor car and drove round to the police station to tell the police about it. This was the explanation given by Mr C. S. Thomas, who appeared for Douglas, when the latter appeared before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M.. in court this morning. Douglas, a farmer, of Ethelton, North Canterbury, ag ed 22, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in charge of a motor car in Hereford street. He was convicted and fined £2O and costs, and his licence was cancelled for two years, " The accused must have been very drunk," said the Magistrate, after hearing Mr Thomas's explanation. " You have made a complete fool of yourself before the world," he added to Douglas. "I am just wondering whether a short term of imprisonment would not do you the world of good, but I will give you another opportunity because of your age." ■ LABOURER CHARGED FOURTEEN DAYS' IMPRISONMENT • Pen United Press AssociationAUCKLAND, July 10. " I think this is a clear case for imprisonment in the interest of the public," said Mr J. Morling, S.M.. in the Police Court to-day when sentencing William George Heares, aged 35, a labourer, to 14 days' imprisonment for being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor car in Abbey street on Saturday afternoon. . The police said another motorist had difficulty in passing the car driven by Heares because of the erratic course he was steering. When the other car passed and pulled up at an intersection, the car driven by Heares crashed into the back of it, and 20 minutes later a doctor certified Heares to be unfit to drive In May last Heares was fined £" 10s for negligent driving. Remarking that there was no excuse for driving while intoxicated, the Magistrate passed sentence, and cancelled the accused's driving licence for three years. JOCKEY SENT TO GAOL (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 10. A sentence of 10 days' imprisonment was imposed on Ronald Keith Smith, a jockey, of Auckland, by the Magistrate. Mr A. M. Goulding, S.M.. at Upper Hutt to-day when he was convicted of a charge of intoxication in charge of a car. He was also ordered to pay medical expenses.