EARLY MORNING SMASH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 18

EARLY MORNING SMASH

INTOXICATED MOTORIST FINED £25

LOSES LICENCE FOR YEAR As the result of a collision which took place outside Constable Reilly’s house at Panmure between one and two o'clock this morning, Richard Francis Hammond appeared at the Police Court and pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in charge of a motorcar. He was fined £25 and his driving licence was cancelled for 12 months, Hammond was described as a motorsalesman. aged 33. Mr. Bryce Hart appeared for him and entered a plea of guilty. Mr. Hart said that his client was driving down Panmure Road with two passengers. He had collided with a lorry standing on the wrong side of the road. There was very littlo damage done. “Unfortunately,” said Mr. Hart, “the incident took place outside the constable’s house and he was on the scene in no time.” Counsel was sure that Ham. mond was not in a bad condition. “If he had had no drink at all he would probably have been able to avoid the lorry,” countered Mr. F. K, Hunt, S.M. Sub-Inspector McCarthy was of the opinion that it was a joy-riding episode. He understood that the passengers were singing and that the can was zig-zagging all over the road. "I think this is a case where a prohibition order would be most beneficial,” suggested counsel. The Magistrate: I would certainly have no objection to his taking out an order. Mr. Hart: I mean as an alternative to losing his licence. The Magistrate: Don’t you believe it. He is going to lose his licence all right. He is evidently addicted to drink as he has one previous convio tion for being disorderly while drunk, Hammond was given a week to pay the fine, Mr. Hart remarking that hq was a married man.