ONE IN EVERY FOUR DAYS

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

ONE IN EVERY FOUR DAYS

Intoxication In Charge Of Cars

CONVICTIONS IN AUCKLAND

HEAVIER PENALTIES BUT LITTLE EFFECT

(Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, May 14. An intoxicated motorist has been convicted in the Auckland and suburban police courts on an average of once in every four days since the beginning of the year. In the city and province, including the Gisborne district, convictions for the same offence have been obtained on an average of once in every 1.88 days during the same period. In spite of ministerial pronouncements and constant warnings from the bench there appears to be little diminution in the offence of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-vehicle. On four successive days last week a motorist was found guilty in the Auckland Police Court. Heavier penalties have apparently had little effect. During the trial of the third offender in Auckland several days ago it was revealed that he was punished in 1923 with a £5 fine. Now a convicted motorist is lucky to escape a term of imprisonment, particularly if he is dealt with by a metropolitan magistrate. There has been one fine of £5 in the Auckland district since January 1 for an offence on a remote country road, but where fines have been imposed they have generally been in the vicinity of £2O and have ranged up to £5O.

The total number of convictions in Auckland city and suburban courts since the beginning of the year has been 33. Of these 19 have been sent to prison for periods ranging from a week to a month. In the remainder of the provincial district there have been 38 convictions, nine persons being sent to prison for terms of a week _to a month. In all cases driving licences have been cancelled and renewals have been prohibited for periods up to three years. For the combined metropolitan and country districts fines inflicted have totalled nearly £750 since January 1. In the case of those sent to prison the sentences have aggregated approximately 65 weeks.