A GOOD RECOVERY.

Otago Witness, Volume 1851, Issue 3809, 15 March 1927, Page 9

A GOOD RECOVERY.

DRUNKENNESS TO SOBRIETY. CHRISTCHURCH. Marell 9. ’ The recuperative powers of Percy Bennett, who, between the time of his arrest on a recent evening and his arrival at the police station, from a state of drunkenness achieved something approaching sobriety, surprised the constables who had him in charge. Bennett was brought before Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, on a charge of being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart in Peterborough street on the evening of February 16. He pleaded not guilty. The arresting constables gave evidence that they found a horse and cart in Peterborough street near the Gladstone Hotel tied to a post. The accused was arrested when he attempted-to get into the cart, but fell over. The horse was weak, and fell down while turning a corner. This, greatly to the surprise of the constables, sobered Bennett to such an extent that he was able to walk quite straight at the station. He was allowed to go on condition that he got someone to drive him home, but he left the horse and cart at the station and came back for them next morning. “I was perfectly sober,” contended Bennett. “I had had only 10 or 12 drinks all day, and it takes about 40 to make a man drunk.” “I am quite satisfied that you were drunk.” said the Magistrate. “Fined £5.” Bennet was allowed three weeks in which to pay the fine.