DRUNK IN CHARGE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 65, Issue 5492, 1 July 1942, Page 4

DRUNK IN CHARGE

MAORI BEFORE COURT FINE OF £l5 IMPOSED At a Police Court sitting this morning, before Messrs W. Jeffery and S. Clark, Justices of the Peace, Tiaki (Jack) Muraahi, Waikeria Road, pleaded guilty to being drunk while in charge of a motor car. Sergeant Clist said that at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, in response to a complaint received, he visited Sloane Street. The defendant was standing near the »rear of his car and later got into it, taking the driver’s seat. The car was parked in front of a right-of-way. A doctor later certified accused to be intoxicated and unfit to drive a motor car. He had been in town all afternoon and admitted having had eight drinks. It was a serious offence, commented the Sergeant, and had defendant driven away with his wife and two children it was most likely that a serious accident would have occurred. He had never been before the Court before and although fond of drink was a hard-working man. Mr Clark: What were you drinking? Defendant: Shandy. Mr Clark: That does not say much for the reduced alcoholic content. “You Maoris should turn over a new leaf and see if you can’t stop this drinking,” said Mr Jeffery, in imposing a fine of £l5 and ordering the cancellation of defendant’s license for 12 months. “It is a shame to see you fellows so given to drink,” he added. Defendant was allowed two months in which, to pay, in default three month’s imprisonment.