TWO COLLISIONS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVV, Issue 18, 25 January 1927, Page 4

TWO COLLISIONS

MOTOR LICENSE CANCELLED.! >

DISQUALIFIED FOR 12 MONTHS

At the local Court yesterday, John Luke Flintoff, farmer, of Durham Road, Piakau, was charged with being drunk whilst in charge of a motor car, and with a breach of a prohibition order.

Samuel Hunter, dentist, of Stratford, said he resided at Midhirst, and on 4th December last he was proceeding home by motor car. Near the Abattoir he picked up a friend and then went on to Midhirst, where he turned into his own gateway and was getting out to open the gate when there was a violent bump on the back of the car. He,had turned into the gateway and stopped when the bump occurred. His car was entirely off the road, the nearest point of the bumper being five feet 6 inches from the asphalt. Defendant (Flintoff) then came round and witness noticed he was drunk. Defendant's wife was in the car and another man. WANTED TO FIGHT. t Defendant had a good deal to say to him and wanted to fight him. He wanted to take his car number, but flung his book about the road. To Sergeant Reid: Defendant was "crazy drunk." He must have been travelling very fast. Three chains from the house was a rise, and there was no car in sight he turned into his gateway, |mt before he could get out of the car the collision occurred. Defendant's wife refused to proceed with defendant, and wanted Hunter to drive; her as far as Durham Road. . i

To Mr O'Dea (representing defendant): Flintoff was drunk. He could smell his breathy The .fact that he had a new set of teeth which made his speech thick did not mislead him into thinking he was drunk. Witnesses' car did not protrude on to the road. .;< Mr O'Dea: The man limps, and his false teeth would also make him appear drunk. ; ' . Witness: He was drunk alright—he was staggering and was unfit to be driving a car. * ; "j' Bernard Officer corroborated, stating that defendant was, "pretty drunk." Percy G'. Harkness, J .P., also stated that he saw Flintoff, and tie was certainly under the influence of liquor. - .■ . TWO SHANDIES. Flintoff, called, admitted he had had two shandies with a Mr Marchant, auctioneer, of Eltham, where* he had been on business. He had a new set of teeth in and he had a limp owing to a bad knee. He denied being drunk. After a lengthy cross-gxamination by Sergeant Reid, Roy Pritchard' and Herbert Hodgson also gave evidence that Flintoff was sober. ANOTHER SMASH In reply to Sergenat Reid, Flintoff admitted that at the Tariki bridge he ran into another car, but explained that the axle bent and the wheel jammed against the mudgard. He could not get out of the way. Mr O'Dea stressed that the new teeth and the lame leg would give the appearance of drunkenness, but he admitted that his client had had a little drink. The Bench held that defendant must have been under the influence of liquor and as well broke a current prohibition order. He would not be fined, but his license would be immediately cancelled, and he would be disqualified from driving for.., 12 months. The inconvenience would be a sufficient penalty. He A'as ordered to pay current costs 29s and witnesses' fes 21s. '