THREE LICENCES LOST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 793, 14 October 1929, Page 1

THREE LICENCES LOST

Intoxicated Motorists in Dock QUARTET ARRESTED DURING WEEKEND OF a quartet of intoxicated moiorists. all arrested within the boundaries of Newmarket on Saturday, three lost their driving licences at the Police Court tins morning. Two were fined £25 each, a third .€5. and the fourth was convicted and discharged.

Mr. Moody appeared for Charles Stewart Bridge, a motor-driver, aged 22, and entered a plea of guilty to a charge of being found intoxicated in charge of a car in Burke Street, Bracketed with Bridge was Stephen Cotton, a labourer, aged 24, who was similarly charged. Mr. Moody said that lie would leave the Bench to decide whether the second accused could be styled as in charge of a motor-car. Bridge was the owner of the car, and had been the first arrested. Cotton was arrested later when contemplating shifting the abandoned car off the road.

Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that there had been a slight collision after which McXaughton had backed oui of the side street where the incident hacl occurred and driven straight on. The other motorist had chased him a mile and found him under the influence of liquor so they had gone to the station. McXaughton had driven his own car. Mr. Hart asked that accused be allowed to retain his driving licence. He was employed in one of the biggest motor firms in town and the loss of his licence would probably mean that he would no longer have any means of livelihood. “If men want to drive they must not drink.” commented Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M. “His licence must go. At Home now they hold that a man is intoxicated in charge of a car when he has had sufficient liquor to make him careless, and that is just how this man was.” Counsel suggested the issuing of a prohibition order, but the magistrate sail that he would make a compromise and cancelled the licence for six months. A fine of £25. in default one month’s imprisonment was imposed and accused was given 14 days in which to pay the fine. Motor-Cyclist Fined Jack Whittaker, a farmhand, aged 35, pleaded guilty, through Mr. Liovogrtve. to being intoxicated in charge of a motor-cycle in Remuera Road. In the opinion of Sub-Inspector McCarthy it was difficult to tell which was in worse state —the man or h*s machine. The machine was right across the road and accused was trying to start it. He was very intoxicated and bad been arrested in Newmarket at 6.25 p.m. He was a farmhand, married, with two children. Mr. Lovegrove deprecated the seriousness of the circumstances. The accused was not riding his machine and could not get it to go. He was in poor circumstances and used the cycle m get round to jobs of casual labouring. He had*spent a week-end in gaol and had suffered considerable mental anguish as lie had been unable to communicate with his wife and toll her where he was. *T shall take that into account.” commented the magistrate, imposing a line of £5, in default one month’s imprisonment. Whittaker was given 14 days to find the money, and his driving licence cancelled for six months.

According to Sub-Inspector McCarthy, a constable had noticed Bridge’s condition, and arrested him about 1.45 p.m. on Saturday. Cotton, who had been with him in the car, walked away. The constable who had arrested Bridge asked another constable to see that Cotton did not attempt to drive as lie also was intoxicated. The second constable had found Cotton cranking the car. Cotton then explained that he wished to shift the car from the centre of the road. Mr. Moody said that Bridge was a labourer, and used the car to drive from Onehunga to his work at Penrose. He was a single man. In counsel’s opinion the case was not serious. There was little traffic about, and it was Bridge’s first appearance before the court. Cotton would be leaving immediately to work in Taumarunui. He had no car, and it was doubtful whether he could be held as in charge of Bridge’s car. Bridge was fined £25, in default one month’s imprisonment. His driving licence was cancelled for 12 months and he was given 14 days to pay the fine. Cotton was convicted and discharged. CAUGHT AFTER CHASE Caught after a chase of a mile by the driver of a car with which he had collided, John Hugh McNaughton was arrested in Newmarket on Saturday and charged in the Police Court this morning with being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car. Mr. Hart pleaded guilty for McNaughton, who was described as a storeman, aged 22. Counsel said that after a collision both parties had driven round to the police station, and it was when McNaughton was making a statement that traces of liquor were found on him.