ASLEEP IN TAXI

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 986, 31 May 1930, Page 1

ASLEEP IN TAXI

INTOXICATED DRIVER FINED £25 “IN DRUNKEN STUPOR’’ Found asleep in his taxi-cab outside the Post Office at 3.15 this morning. Douglas Henry Alexander Chalmers was arrested. Constable Smith, who arrested the man, said he was in a drunken stupor and accused was fined £25. His driving licence was cancelled for 12 months. Chalmers, a taxi-driver, aged S 3, pleaded not guilty, through Mr. Han, to being found intoxicated in charge of a motor-car in Queen Street. Constable Smith said be had found accused aselep in his taxi at 3.15 this morning. The car was outside the Chief Post Office and was parked 10 or 15 feet from the kerb, which was what had first attracted witness’s attention. It had taken about five minutes to rouse the man, who seemed to be in a drunken stupor. He was unsteady on his feet. His speech was thick and 110 smelled of liquor. There tv as an empty whisky flask and glass in the car and a flask of brandy in accused's hippocket. “He was in such a state that I would have arrested him for drunkenness had lie been in the street,” the constable added. Sergeant Brencbley, who had been with Constable Smith when Chalmers was arrested, corroborated the constable’s statement. Accused had asked for a doctor and, when questioned, was unable to say where he had left his car. He had first said it was in Quay Street and then made another wrong attempt. The doctor’s certificate was to tlio effect that Chalmers l.ad consumed a considerable amount of liquor. In the witness box, accused spoke in a husky voice, little above a whisper. He admitted sleeping in his car, but denied that he.was waiting for passengers as he liad done his last job for the night. The empty whisky flask and the glass had been left in the car by a passenger whom lie had taken to South Street. The passenger had als<» left the corkscrew which the police found in his pocket, Chalmers continued. Accused denied that he was intoxicated. He had had only one drink of brandy out of a flask the passenger had given him. Chalmers said he had been suffering from influenza for a week, but had had to keep on working as he was endeavouring to pay something on the two maintenance orders that were out against him. H<» had token the man to .South Street about 2.30. Accused admitted he had been previously convicted of being intoxicated in charge of a ear, but on that occasion also lie had been asleep. He was then fined £5. Remarking that accused had evidently not appreciated the leniency of the court when he was last convicted, Air. W. R. McKean. S.M., imposed a fine of £25, In default one month's imprisonment. Chalmers was ordered to pay doctor’s expenses, £1 Is, and his driving licence was cancelled for 12 months. “BEER TALKING’’ ARGUMENTATIVE DRIVER FINED £ls “Jt was the beer talking. He wanted to show the police what he couid do,” explained Mr. .Moody, defending Angelo Phinix, who was charged at Iho Police Court this morning with being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car. Accused was fined £ls and his driving licence was endorsed. Phinix, a clerk, aged 36, was charged with being found intoxicated in cha>*gu of a motor-car in Broadway, Newni irket, yesterday. Air. Moody entered no plea, but said he would admit the facts. Sub-Inspector Shanahan said Constable Henry had been called by a ta.\:driver with whom Phinix was having an argument at 3.45 yesterday after - noon. Accused had declared the taxi was blocking his car. In view of his condition, the constable had warned accused not to drive, but he went over to his car and tlLp constable had to arrest him. Accused had asked for a doctor, and Dr. W. G. Carew had certified the man to be intoxicated. There were two witnesses to support the police statement. Mr. Moody admitted that there could be ho argumei t ether Phinix was intoxicated. His conduct had been so much bravado. The question was whether he was in charge of the car and whether he would have driven the ! car away had he not been trying to | show the constable what he could do. Accused was a first offender. He bad ; a responsible position in the City, i Counsel asked for suppression as the j publication of his name might have a serious effect on accused financially. ! Phinix did not drink as a rule. “The fact that he was not actually driving is a fortunate circumstance.” decided Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. There is no doubt that the man was intoxi- ! cated, and the fact that he was prevented from driving by the police is not sufficient grounds for the suppresj sion of his name. These cases are not uncommon and the offenders must be severely punished.” Phinix was fined £ 13. and his driving licence was endorsed. He was ordered to pay witnesses’ expenses. 30s, i and he was given a week in which to j pay the fine.