DRUNKEN DRIVERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21181, 31 October 1938, Page 7

DRUNKEN DRIVERS

MAGISTRATE SUPPORTS MINISTER By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 29 Approval of the intention of Jhe Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) to endeavour to introduce week-end gaol sentences as a deterrent to drivers convicted of being intoxicated hi charge of cars was expressed in the Magistrate’s Court to-day by Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M. He thought it would be a very good move indeed because of the reluctance many Magistrates have in sending to gaol people who are not of the criminal class. Under the proposed system that would disappear, and adequate punishment would be suffered by the offenders without causing a corresponding amount of suffering to the relatives. He hoped that this change in the law would be used to the fullest extent when it came into operation. Mr Luxford sentenced to 10 days’ hard labour Murray Francis Howard, aged 23, a carpenter, who pleaded guilty to a charge of intoxication while in charge of a car, and prohibited him from obtaining a driving licence for 18 months. On charges of having no driving licence, and of not carrying a warrant of fitness, he was convicted and discharged. The accused was arrested as the result of a complaint to the police, who on investigating, found an empty car with two bottles of beer in the back seat and an empty bottle. Later, three men got in and the constables who followed the car saw it swaying and being driven all over the road. When examined by a doctor an hour later, the accused was declared to be unfit to drive a car.