CANCELLATION OF LICENSE

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1933, Page 9

CANCELLATION OF LICENSE

MOTORIST LODGING APPEAL WELLINGTON LAWYER FINED £l5. INTOXICATION IN CAR ADMITTED. “UNDOUBTEDLY WAS NOT DRUNK.” By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Wellington, Last Night. After pleading guilty, John Joseph McGrath, aged 54, solicitor, was fined £l5 by Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., to-day on a charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car. “It was only after very serious consideration of the case I advised defendant to plead guilty,” said Mr. Watson, who appeared for McGrath. “This is not a case of drunkenness .in ■ the ordinary sense at all. In the present case while McGrath, according to the medical report, undoubtedly was not drunk his /control of the car may have been.lessened by the effect of a very small quantity of liquor on certain physical disabilities.” Without comment the magistrate fined McGrath £l5 and cancelled his driving license for six months. Mr. Watson: “I should like to be heard on the question of the license.” The magistrate: “I can hear you but cannot alter the practice.” Mr. Watson said McGrath had a large country practise and used his car a good deal in following it. There was absolutely no chance-of McGrath’s ever again being placed in the position he was in at present. Counsel pleaded that McGrath be allowed to retain his license. “Where it is a case of driving for pleasure and a driving license is not a strict necessity,” the magistrate said, “the practice is to cancel. McGrath is in a position to get someone to drive him.” An immediate appeal is being lodged with the Supreme Court against the order cancelling the license.