MOTORIST SENT TO GAOL

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 9

MOTORIST SENT TO GAOL

INTOXICATION CASE AT RIVERTON ACCUSED UNABLE TD READ OR WRITE In the Magistrate’s Court at Riverton, before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., Thomas Henry Te Au, of Colac Bay, a labourer, was charged with being in charge of a motor-vehicle on the Riv-erton-Rocks road while in a state of intoxication, driving a car and not carrying a warrant of fitness, and with a breach of his prohibition order. On the intoxication charge, he was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment. Mr J. A. C. Mackenzie appeared for the accused and entered pleas of guilty to the three charges. Constable Webb said that, as the result of information received, he went out towards The Rocks shortly before 11 o’clock last Sunday night and found the accused driving his 'motor-car and when he stopped him and spoke to him found him under the influence of liquor. He was very excited and smelt strongly of liquor. He was examined by Dr Fossey. Constable Webb said that the car in its present state was a menace on the road. The brakes were practically useless and the accused had to * rely on his gears for braking purposes. At the time one headlight only was burning. Te Au had been, advised by a garage proprietor to take the cat in for overhaul, but he had not done so. Mr Mackenzie said that the accused was really only a boy, being now 22 years old. Incredible as it might appear, he could not read cr write, and, because of this handicap, he was probably not sufficiently aware of the seriousness of his action in taking liquor while driving a car. The accused was employed at £4 a week and apparently had too much money to spend foolishly. This had been a lesson to the accused; he had already been in custody for two days, and counsel suggested that if he be given a chance and got Work well away from the district he would be away from his acquaintances and would probably not get into further trouble. The instalments on the car were in arrear and it would be repossessed by the seller. In sentencing Te Au to 14 days’ imprisonment, the Magistrate remarked that in these cases it was a matter of protecting the public. The accused had previous convictions for ether offences and notice must be taken of them. His driver’s licence would be cancelled and he would be disqualified from obtaining another for 12 months. On the two minor charges he was convicted and discharged.