DRUNKEN DRIVER FINED £25

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1929, Page 10

DRUNKEN DRIVER FINED £25

M. JURY DISQUALIFIED 3 YEARS.

CRASHED INTO LORRY AT ELTHAM

Maurice Ingram Jury, Stratford, must not drive a motor-car for three years. He was fined £25, his license was cancelled, and he was disqualified for that period by Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., when the police convinced the magistrate at Eltham yesterday that Jury had been drunk in charge of a car. A charge of negligence was withdrawn. Jury’s car crashed into the back of a lorry at Ngaere when he was returning at night from a flying exhibition at Eltham on June 13.

Jury, who was defended by Mr. A. Coleman, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

S. G. Burgess, motor-lorry driver, bad a parcel to deliver at Mr. Bond's place at Ngaere during his trip from Hawera to New Plymouth. He stopped his lorry at the gate with the lights on. The right-hand wheels were about seven feet from the edge of the tar. There was ample room for another vehicle to pass. He saw another vehicle coming from Eltham and* before he reached the gate he heard it crash into his lorry.

The hand-brake of the lorry was on but the engine was still running. The impact released the brake pressure and drove his lorry forward about a chain and a-half. The car was driven by Jury. Burgess took Jury to the rear 'of the lorry and showed him that the tail light was alight. Jury did not say anything, but his companion remarked that he had not seen the light. The car was badly damaged and Jury had to be helped out.

Burgess was of the opinion that Jury was drunk and that the other man was “not quite so bad.” He considered Jury should not have been in charge of a motor-car.

In the meantime Jury had gone to Mr. Bond’s. There was slight damage to the lorry. Jury was dazed and appeared suddenly to awaken due to the bump. There was plenty of room on the road and the light could be seen a long way.

SEEMED A BIT MUDDLED. Thomas William Bond, butcher, arrived on the scene as Jury was getting out of the car. He noticed that Jury had bad some liquor and was a bit muddled. He had known Jury for 34 years, but had never known him to be drunk. Stanley Gordon Bond 'said Jury was muddled but he could not say whether it was due to drink or to shock from the collision. There was a smell of alcohol in the air. Constable Townshend went into Mr. Bond’s house and found Jury and his friend having a cup of tea. Jury said, “I am sorry,” and his friend, Sinclair, said they did not see a light on the lorry and that was why they struck it. The constable could see Jury was under the influence of liquor and told him so. Jury did not reply. Jury said his chest was sore and he would like .to see a doctor. The constable took him to Eltham and left him with Dr. Crawford. An examination was’~made both of Jury and Sinclair, the latter suffering from a few cuts. The constable did not take the extreme step of arresting Jury for drunkenness, but had Jury attempted to drive the car he would have been arrested. Dr. S. W. Crawford said that in his opinion Jury was in a state of intoxication.

Mr. Coleman: Would not excitement in conjunction with shock increase his pulse. Witness; Yes.

Jury said he left -Stratford with Sinclair about 2.30 or 2.45 for the Eltham golf links. Hg had a sherry and bitters at an Eltham hotel. He went to the golf links and watched the flying. When they started to return they found they had no benzine so Jury went to Eltham for some. He left Sinclair with the car. He had not had any liquor at the flying grounds during the afternoon. He was driven back to the car by the Gower boys. After a little trouble they started the car. They did not stop coming through Eltham. They were going fairly steadily and came up a rise just before the collision. He did not see the lorry until he was within four or five yards. The constable arrived on the scene much to Jury’s surprise. Jury took exception to being regarded as drunk.

JURY DID NOT SEE LIGHT. In reply to Sergeant Henry Jury said he did not see any light on the lorry. After the accident ‘he was dazed. All the liquor he had had that day was a stout at Stratford and a sherry and bitters at Eltham. Sergeant Henry: How do you account for a liquor bottle being found near your car? Mr. Coleman: You will find bottles every few chains along the road. Sergeant Henry: Can you account for four previous witnesses saying that you were under the influence of liquor? Defendant: It was the shock I receive! 1. Arthur Henry Nelson, Stratford, met defendant shortly after nine o’clock. He considered that Jury was sober. Robert Alexander Scott, motor mechanic, Eltham, said Jury came to his garage for two gallons of benzine. He noticed nothing unusual about Jury’s condition. The time would be about six o’clock. Henry Gower, who drove Jury to the golf links with the benzine, said he did not notice anything unusual about Jury’s condition, and did not think he was drunk. He did not smell any liquer on him. I Wilson Sinclair, motor mecnanic, Stratford, said he went with Jury to see the flying. Jury was in his company all the afternoon' and had no liquor. Jury was sooer when they left the links and at the time of the accident Sergeant Henry: Why did you or Jury not see the obstacle before hitting it Witness: We had just con»e over a rise. Mr. Coleman submitted that this was a cast where. Jury’s, condition of shock may h Ve influenced the police witnesses

in their opinions, but the magistrate said he had not the slightest doubt in the-matter. He fined defendant £25 with costs £3 17s lOd, suspended his license, and disqualified him from- driving for three years.

RATAPIKO NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The attendance at the Sports Club’s euchre party was much below expectations, but a very enjoyable evening was spent and the tournament was keenly contested. Mr. E. Butler was in charge of the card' games. The position on the ladder for the points prize is being eagerly watched. After last' euchre party Mists M. Topping and Miss M. Burkett were leading in the ladies’ division, and Mr. W. O’Donnell and Mr. L. Bocock were at the top of the men’s division. The prize-winners on Thursday night were: Miss M. Topping first and Miss R. Bracegirdle second, Mr. Rangi Ngaw'hare first and Mr. Don Bracegirdle second. The booby prizes were secured bv Mrs. J. Corbett and Mr. H. Telfer. Dance music was supplied by Harris Bros.’ orchestra. Mr. A. Grigg was M.C. The school committee is forging ahead in great style with the queen carnival and another euchre party, which was in aid of Miss Nellie Gannaway, was held during the week. The position of the candidates on Thursday night was: Miss Josie Nolan 272, Miss Doris Martin 271, Miss Nellie Gannaway 258. Mrs. M. Nolan had charge of the euchre tournament. Miss Ethel Klenner won the ladies’ first prize and Mrs. J. Corbett the second. For the men’s first prize Mr. W. Bennett and Mr. Len Dravitzki were equal, and in the play-off Mr. Dravitzki was successful. A competition, with a ham as first prize, was won by Mrs. O. Wilson, the correct length of wool being 17ft. 7in. Mr. C. Sommerford won the box of cigarettes. The Automobile Association has been at' work in the Ratapiko district erecting signs at the junction of the roads. Miss Pratt, who hag been the guest of her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H Telfer, has returned to her home.

Mrs. D. Mannix, Mana Road, has returned from a short visit to her people in Hawera.

Mrs. Smith, Waitara, accompanied by her small son, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. N. Downs. Mr. Arthur Grigg is spending a holiday with relations in New Plymouth. Miss Mary Topping is visiting her parents at Tarata. Mr. W. Willans, Ratapiko’s representative on the Inglewood County Council. Is on holiday in Wellington. Mrs. J. Kilpatrick is staying with relatives in Stratford. Mr, James Kilj patrick, who is an inmate of the Stratford hospital, ig making a good recovery from a recent operation. Mrs. Ed. Butler has returned from hospital and is much improved in health.

PERSONAL AND GENERAL. The Rev. Father Rohon, Stratford, has been appointed to take charge of the parish of Johnson-ville during the absence of the Rev. Father Driffen. Father Rohon will leave Stratford at the end of this week. An election for a member to replace Cr. J. McKee, who resigned from the Stratford Borough Council on Monday night, will be necessary within 28 days of the acceptance of the resignation. Only in the last six months of a council’s term can a vacancy be filled by appointment. Sir Walter Carncross lias returned to Eltham from Wellington. Mr. N. Dale, Eltham, has left for Wellington where he will compete in the Hutt Golf Club’s winter tournament. Inglewood first juniors to play Cardifi at Inglewood to-morrow will be: Glenn, Devereaux, Brown, Harland, Corkill, Trass, Liie, Goodwin, Herdman. Pettit, Lawson, Pope, Mcßoberts, Clough, Butler, Hunt, Welch, Allen, O’Brien. At the Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr. R. W. Tate. S.M.. judgment by default was given against Douglas Clement for £1 19s (costs 8s) on the plaint of M. W. Bridger. Excellent entries have been received for the Eltham competitions commencing this afternoon, the children’s section being particularly well patronised. Considerable interest is being taken in the folk dancing classes and some interesting exhibitions of the old English dances are promised. In connection with the relief of earthquake sufferers in the South Island a subscription list is being opened by the Mayor of Eltham and in addition a committee of townsfolk are making arrangements for the holding of a citizens* ball the proceeds from which will go to augment the fund. Final arrangements for to-morrow night’s great ball to swell the earth- - quake relief fund of Stratford were > made at a well-attended meeting of West Coasters last night. There is no doubt that it will be the ball' of the season as far as Stratford, is concerned, for the committee have taken the brilliant Celtic decorations as a basis and have added thereto in an artistic manner. It was reported that Boulton’s No. 1 orchestra augmented to unusual proportions for a dance, would provide voluntary music, and that a worthy supper had also been donated. A large and brilliant crowd is expected.