Intoxicated Farmer From Cheviot Arrested In Square.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18149, 7 May 1927, Page 1

Intoxicated Farmer From Cheviot Arrested In Square.

HAD WHISKY BOTTLE IN CAR WITH HIM—FINED £25; LICENSE CANCELLED.

Donald Williamson Smith, thirty years of age, farmer, Cheviot, who drove his car in Cathedral Square late last night while he was intoxicated, was brought before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., this morning, and was fined £25. His license to drive was cancelled for two years.

Sergeant Roach said that Smith was seen by a constable driving through the Square at 11.35 o’clock, without lights. The constable went to take Smith’s number, and Smith’s car then collided with a tramcar in the neck at the Bank Corner. No damage was done except to the lower part of the motor-car, which was buckled up. The constable, finding that Smith was drunk, arrested him. In the car there was a bottle with whisky in it. Mr Sargent, for Smith, said that he pleaded guilty, but there were circumstances that called for punishment other than imprisonment. It was true that those offences must be treated seriously, and that Smith was fined £2O in Rangiora for a similar offence. In spite of his condition his car last night was well under control. The circumstances were regrettable, and it was difficult to make suggestions as to the punishment, but Smith's license could be suspended or cancelled. That seemed the most effective punishment. The accused: I won’t mind if it is for two 3*ears. Mr Sargent said that Smith was a young married man with a child. He was a respectable member of the community at Cheviot. He was not very drunk last evening. The Magistrate said that the practice in Christchurch was to send offenders of that class to gaol. Mr Sargent said that offenders were sent to gaol when they had driven recklessly. Smith’s car was under control.

There was a case in which a man fairly intoxicated drove a great many miles perfectly, but when he got out of the car he fell to the ground because of his condition. Some men who had had quantities of liquor had their cars almost completely under control. There was little traffic in the Square at the time of Smith’s accident. As he lived in Cheviot suspension or cancellation would be a severe punishment: Smith, in that case, could not drive into town. The Magistrate said that he agreed with other Magistrates in regard to the punishments they inflicted. Any person in charge of a car while intoxicated should be sent to gaol without the option of a fine, but in the present case probably the circumstances might justify a fine. It was after 11.30 'o’clock. Not many women and chil--dren were about, presumably, and there was less traffic than before ten o’clock. As a Magistrate, he had a duty to the public which might be met by imposing a fine. Mr Sargent said that Smith had a ■good property at Cheviot. The Magistrate: I suppose he would prefer a substantial fine to imprisonment? Mr Sargent: Yes, sir. After a few minutes’ consideration Hhe Magistrate convicted Smith and fined him £25 and 5s costs for being intoxicated while in charg eof a car. His ; license was cancelled and he was prohibited from taking out a license until April 1, 1929. For driving without lights he was convicted and discharged.