TAXI DRIVER FINED.

Wairarapa Age, 23 December 1932, Page 2

TAXI DRIVER FINED.

CHARGE OF INTOXICATION.

LICENSE CANCELLED. Observing that it was his duty to view the case from the public angle only, Mr. J. Miller, 'S.M., imposed a fine of £2O on George Watson, a Masterton taxi proprietor, who pleaded guilty, in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, to a charge of having been intoxicated "while in charge of a motor car. Defendant’s driver’s license was also cancelled for a period of six months.

Sergeant T. H. Dyer said that defendant was seen sitting at the wheel of his car, in an apparently intoxicated state on Tuesday last at 4.15 p.m. outside the Taratahi Hotel by Constable Robertson and Detective-Sergeant Jarrold. An old man sitting in the car and another two men speaking to tho defendant were also the worse for liquor. When Constable Robertson approached the car a hotel employee endeavoured to crank the car in order to let defendant get away. When told that he had had too much liquor defendant said that it was Christinas time and when asked to produce his driver's license was so muddled that he did not know his license from other papers in his pocket. Defendant had stated that he ’.ad taken passengers to the Taratahi Hotel. “He is a licensed taxi driver and I feel it is my duty to ask for the cancellation of his license,” said Sergeant Dyer, who added that it was defendant’s first appearance in Court on a similar charge. Mr. T. Jordan, who appeared for defendant, said that all he could do was to appeal to the mercy of the Court. He quite appreciated the fact that the public safety was the first thing to be considered. However, defendant had a physical disability which restricted his earning power. Defendant had expressed! his willingness to take out a prohibition order, said Mr. Jordan, who asked’ His Worship not tp enforce complete cancellation, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidayperiods Mr. Miller, said that taxi men were in, positions of trust. Fortunately they had in this town taxi drivers who could be depended on, although one had aljjused his trust. The public was directly concerned in these cases and had to be protected.