"LOSS OF EQUILIBRIUM”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1005, 23 June 1930, Page 1

"LOSS OF EQUILIBRIUM”

INTOXICATED DRIVER FINED £ls DRINKS AFTER FOOTBALL Two drinks, after attending a football match on Saturday, were the downfall of Walter Charles Reid, who was fined £ls in the Police Court this morning for being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car. Elis driving licence was cancelled for six months. According to the medical certificate, Reid had had a considerable quantity of liquor and was suffering from a loss of equilibrium. Reid, aged 44, was arrested by Constable Rattray at 6.40 p.m. on Saturday and bailed in one surety of £SO and self of £SO. Mr. Sullivan appeared for accused and admitted a very slight state of intoxication. Reid had a meritorious defence but, in view of the opinion of the only doctor called, counsel was not in a position to fight the case. Sub-Inspector Shanahan said Sergeant Finch and Constables Rattray and Hendren, following a complaint, had gone in search of an intoxicated driver. They found accused at a service station in Parnell Road trying to straighten a mudguard which he admitted had been damaged in a collision immediately before. There were six bottles of beer and two of stout in the car. Sergeant Finch had said the man was not in a fit state to be in charge of the car, and accused had agreed, adding that he had had two drinks. EXPERIENCED DRIVER According to Mr. Sullivan, accused had had 16 years’ driving experience with no accident and not even a conviction for a breach of the by-laws. He had two drinks after football. Driving toward Parnell he had collided lightly with a car that was parked, sticking out into the road. He had gone back to see the owner of the car, but was told everything was all right. Driving on, Reid had heard his wheel grating against the mudguard, so stopped to try and straighten it. He was unable to do it, so drove to the service station to have tho matter attended to. It was there that, attempting to pull the mudguard back into shape, Reid had fallen and the manager of the service station, assuming that he was intoxicated, telephoned for the police. Mr. Sullivan was of the opinion that, when a man had the necessary money, another doctor beside the police doctor should be called in. Dr. Tewsley had certified that the man was suffering from slight loss of equilibrium. He also stated that he had a dry tongue, but that was due to over-indulgence in smoking. Reid was a married man with three children and would never offend again. The liquor in the car was a week-end supply. “It is not as bad as some cases, so I shall halve the penalty,” decided Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. A fine of £ls was imposed and accused’s driving licence was cancelled for six months. Reid was given time to pay.