INTOXICATED DRIVER

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3208, 26 July 1932, Page 5

INTOXICATED DRIVER

FINED £lO. How a motorist who had had a tooth extracted earlier in the day and was arrested for drunkenness late at night was investigated at the local Court on Monday, when Messrs G. A. Empson and W. Jeffery were the presiding justices. The police prosecuted Kenneth McFarlane, of Putaruru district, who entered a plea of guilty. It appears—and the evidence tendered bears out the facts—that McFarlane, who was on holiday from his employment, came to Te Awamutu in a " baby " car, and had a tooth extracted. Then he departed for Te Kawa district intending to call on a friend, but took the wrong road and found he had made a complete circuit, reach-, ing Te Awamutu again. He then had a few whiskies, and arranged to Stay the night, but at about 10 o'clock he went outside to garage his car, with the object of continuing his journey next morning. The night air had its effect, and he motored off in the direction of Kihikihi, steering an erratic course until the car overturned near the junction of St. Ledger's Road. Passers-by observed the accident and called the police and a medical man. McFarlane was removed to Te Awamutu, and after medcal attention he went to sleep, to wake up on Sunday morning from what he termed " a bad dream." His appearance in Court on Monday was rather woebegone, and on a plea of guilty being entered, the Bench heard the evidence, and recorded a conviction with a fine of £lO. It was added that being intoxicated while in charge of a motor vehicle was regarded as a very serious offence, but in view of the circumstances and the frank admission it was decided not to interfere with his drivine: license.