MOTORISTS FINED

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 5

MOTORISTS FINED

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF CARS. CASES AT AUCKLAND. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, March 26. On behalf of a young medical man who did not appear in the Court, Mr. Singer entered a plea of guilty to a charge of being in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor car in O’Neill Street at a late hour on St. Patrick’s Day. Counsel after stressing the fact that the offence took place late at night in O’Neill Street, Ponsonby, said that there was no question that accused had consumed sufficient liquor to make out the charge brought against him. “It is not a bad case,” said counsel, “and in view of the fact that defendent has suffered considerable expense, worry and was distressed a penalty other than a monetary one would be out of all proportion while the publication of his name would spell ruination for this young medical practitioner who is just commencing in life. I would therefore ask the Court to exercise its discretion and suppress his name. It has been done before in this Court in the case of professional men.” Sub-Inspector McCarthy stated that accused was very much under the influence of drink. Accused and the other occupants of the car were rather badly cut about and one had to go to hospital. Accused was held in custody until he was sober enough to be bailed out. Mr. Singer said that it was established beyond doubt that the accident was caused by an inner tube blowing out. The doctor was fined £l5. “I think the application for the suppression is a reasonable one. The name is ordered to be suppressed,” said the Magistrate, Mr. Cutten. Another charge of intoxication while in charge of a motor car was heard before Mr. Cutten, accused this time being James Wallace Irvin, aged 50, a mechanic. Mr. Sellar said that Irvin had been in the lock up since Saturday evening. About 5 p.m. on Saturday after having successfully driven his old car out to Penrose from Green Lane, Irvin pulled up outside the Ellerslie Hotel. “The constable wa» evidently most zealous, for he arrested accused as he was about to crank up his car,” said the counsel. Mr. Sellar stated that Irwin was not driving the car or even sitting in it. He had a friend with him who could have driven Irwin home. There was no suggestion of accident being involved, the whole thing was merely a Saturday afternoon’s jaunt. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that the facts were as stated by counsel. The constable had arrested Irvin for safety’s sake. Irvin was no doubt well under the influence of liquor. “I would ask on behalf of my client that his name be suppressed,” said counsel. “Have you any special reason why it should be suppressed?” asked the Magistrate. Mr. Sellar, “None, Sir, except that the offence was a comparatively small matter and Irvin is a respectable man in poor circumstances.” Irvin was fined £5, Mr. Outten refusing the application for the suppression of his name