UNUSUAL CASE

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3669, 17 February 1940, Page 5

UNUSUAL CASE

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF A TRACTOR FINE OF TWENTY POUNDS In the Cambridge Court on Thursday morning, ■ Claude 'Henry Lang, a contractor and motor driver, >vas charged before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., with being in charge of a tractor while in. a state of intoxication on February 12. Lang pleaded guilty and Mr W. R. Garrard, who appeared on his behalf, made an appeal that leniency be extended to him.

Constable C. H. Maisey stated that accused was driving a tractor at a time when it should have had lights. On investigation, accused was found to be drunk. An examination was made by Dr H. C. Tod, who reported that accused had evidently consumed a considerable amount of liquor up to 6 p.m. At the time of the examination, he had not recovered his sobriety sufficiently to be in charge of a motor vehicle.

The Constable stated that he had previously warned the accused that he would get into trouble, if he continued to drink, as he could not hold his liquor.

Mr W. R. Garrard stated that accused was employed by a contracting firm. On the day in question he was cutting grass bn the golf links, when heavy rain set in. He came into town and had too much to drink.

It was in the favour of the accused that he had sobered up considerably before he. set out for home. The seriousness of the*position was realised, but the accused asked that he be allowed to retain, his license to drive a tractor. A prohibition order would be taken out, if necessary. The accused should know the consequences of driving while drunk, said the Magistrate. He had been given a warding, and the matter for consideration was whether he should go to gaol or not. The Magistrate deferred his decision until: the end;of the Court sitting. Later in the day, Mr Freeman announced that he had decided not to send the accused to gaol, but would fine him £2O, with costs £1 12/-. Lang would be prohibited from driving a motor vehicle for two years, but would be allowed to drive a tractor ..for farm work only, with the right to drive to and from the farm.