“TOO MUCH OF IT.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 8

“TOO MUCH OF IT.”

Intoxicated Motorist Fined £ls. CYCLIST KNOCKED OVER. “ You are very fortunate that I don’t send you to gaol. There has been far too much of this sort of thing during the last few weeks. Somebody will get a surprise one of these days—there’ll be no question of a fine.” These remarks were made by Mr E. D Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning after he had fined Ernest Thompson, a linesman, 43 years of age, £ls and costs upon a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car in Manchester Street on May 5. Thompson was also prohibited from driving a car for tw’elve months. He pleaded guilty to driving without a license, and was convicted and discharged. lie was allowed 21 days in which to pay the fine. Sub-Inspector Powell said that at 6.15 p.m. on Saturday a constable was on duty in High Street when his attention was dra--n to a crowd in Manchester Street about 50 yards from the intersection with Lichfield Street. He found that a cyclist had been knocked off his machine by a motor-car driven bv the accused. When he interviewed the accused. Thompson was under the influence of liquor. Had he been keeping a proper look-out, he must have seen the cyclist, because his lights were burning. At the police station, L* r F- D. Scott certified that accused was not in a fit state of drive a car. The sub-inspector added that there was a “ square rigger ” full of beer in a sugar bag in the car. Mr Niblock, who appeared for the accused, said that Thompson had had four “ handles ” about half an hour belore the accident. He then drove to Lin wood and came back up St Asaph Street and turned into High Street. Ihe cyclist came very close to the accused, who heard some people call jjy** Thompson immediately put on his brakes, and pulled over farther to the correct side of the road. He admitted having seen the cyclist, but did not straighten out quickly enough. Mr Niblock said that the breach did not appear to be a flagrant one. The accused was spoken of highly by his employersThe Magistrate said that a man employed by a public body had taken more drink than was good for him and had driven through the city—the case could not be wiorse.