RATANA BEFORE COURT

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1927, Page 12

RATANA BEFORE COURT

INTOXICATED AT THE WHEEL FINE OF TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS. SUPPRESSION OF NAME REFUSED, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. Ratana, the Maori prophet, who now has a tremendous following among the natives throughout the North Island, was arrested on Thursday and charged with being in control of a motor vehicle while in a state of intoxication. He appeared before the magistrate, Mr. J. S. Barton, to-day, when an additional charge was that of driving without a license,and pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Lopdell stated that Ratana failed to renew his license, which expired in March last. A chauffeur had been provided for some time, but on Thursday accused drove himself and was observed to be driving the car in an erratic manner. He was not bad enough’to be arrested as a drunken pedestrian, but in charge of a car could not be let go. Replying to the Bench, the prosecution said that Ratana had formerly been very sober, but during last New Year had been under the influence of liquor on several occasions. Ratana applied for the suppression of his name, as the publication would affect his standing among the natives. His Worship: I think this is not a case for suppression. Defendant urges the fact of his standing and reputation, but there are some reputations which, in the publie interest, should depend on character and manner of life, and should not be bolstered up by an arbitrary act of the court in proceedings like this. Fines of £25 on the first charge and £1 on the second were imposed.