Motorist Fined £50: Sequel to Collision

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 10

Motorist Fined £SO: Sequel to Collision

INTOXICATED DRIVER “HAD ONLY ONE WHISKY” Though he said he had had only one wh isky, Angelo Phi nix found it an expensive drink when he appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court today. being found, drunk in charge x of a motor-car in Symonds Street on September S, he was fined £SO, and his licence was cancelled for 12 months. Default of the fine was fixed at three months and Phi nix was given seven daj r s to find the money. Through Mr. Bryce Hart, Phinix, a telegraph clerk, aged 36, pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to Sub-Inspector Shanahan, Phinix, in attempting to pass a Transport Company’s bus in Symonds Street, had cut across the front and collided with the vehicle. Mr. Bryce Hart: Phinix informs me that he had had only one drink. “It must have been a good one,” observed Mr. Hunt, “and it must have been very potent, too.” PECULIAR SPEECH Counsel contended that his client, who was still suffering from the effect of wounds, had a peculiar mode of speech and suffused eyes, which would lead people to think that he was drunk. “He also has a peculiar and extraordinary style of driving,” said Mr. Hunt. Defendant, in the box, said he had had only one drink on the day in question as he had to relieve the telephone supervisor at 8 o’clock. He admitted tliahe had been fined £ls and his licence endorsed for a similar offence last May. He called evidence to prove that he was perfectly sober. EVIDENCE CONCLUSIVE “Well, the evidence of a doctor, a solicitor, and passengers on the bus goes to show that Phinix was under the influence of liquor,” said the magistrate. “He was also convicted/last May.” Mr. Bryce Hart: He has such a peculiar manner that it makes things look worse. Mr. Hunt: I’m satisfied he had more than one drink. When a man says he had two, he usually means 22 and I’m sure Phinix had more than one. He is fined £SO, his licence is cancelled for 12 months and he is ordered to pay -witnesses’ expenses, £2 11s. Default will be fixed at three months and he is allowed seven days to pay.