IN THE EARLY HOURS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20182, 26 June 1928, Page 7

IN THE EARLY HOURS

NOISY SCENES Prominent Gisborne Resident in . a Court i. XTNES IMPOSED r I Per Frees ZxMOctation ] GIbBOKNE,, June 25. Considerable interest was cviueuccd in the Police Court this morning in the appearance of Frederick Herbert Goodman, the well known contractor and sportsman, on a charge of being found in a state of intoxication wuiie in charge of a car. Accused pleaded not guilty. {Senior Sergeant McLean said that at 3.30 a.iu, accused, was found at the corner of Peel {Street and Childers Hoad, one of the best lighted corners in the borough, just outside the Police {Station. His car was on the lootpath and Goodman was ordered to get out but refused. He was taken into the Police Station and put througu certain tests. Dr. Muir was sent for at 4.25 a.m. and in answer to accused told him he was drunk. Accused then asked for Dr. Collins, who came at 5.30 a.m. and accused was put in a cell at six a.m. For two hours he kept up a noise in the cell with a tiu utensil and when released on bail at eight o’clock still showed signs of intoxication. Dr. Muir in evidence sail he examined accused and found him suffering from the effects of alcohol. He was in such a condition that his judgment would be faulty, though he might be able to drive. Goodman did not complain of any injury. Had he been injured in the chest, it was possible the shock may have made his condition worse.

Constable McKenzie said he was in the Police Station at 3.30 a.m. on June 7, when he heaid a terrific smash anti saw Goodman in his car in a drunken condition. The front of the car had struck an electric light pole. Goodman used bad .language and witness had to seek the assistance of another constab]® to get him into hhe station. Goodman said; “I’m gone this tune. I’m a poker player and Know when 1 am beaten and can. take a witu tue rest or them, lou have Cu.agnt me rcd’-nauG-Be-examxucd by the fcJeuior {Sergeant, V'iincss said Guuumau tneu tu the cell uvwu wiu a tin utensu. lie said;; “lx you uou’t let me out I'll Kill you." {Sergeant Mclntyre su.d the accused displayed the usual bymptons of intoxication. Guoduiau struggled wnin, being searched and said n ms son Kuc». they were locKiug mm up nc woulu come over and cut tneir throats.

For Uie defence Mr A. Moody, c Auckland, calltxf Dr. J. U. Collins who said he saw Goouman in a cell and took him out and examined him. Goodman walked out of the cell by himself and negotiated a step. Witness subinitdcd him to certain tests and Goodman 'answered tne tests wci*. Goodman was later brought to a nursing nome anc was then buffering from snock. When he had recovered witness amined him and found ne was suffering irom an injury to the breastbone. fcjubttqueni|f witness had an X-ray examination taken and this showed a fractured breast-bone, anta tne ribs being pushed in. After such a blow it wouau ue difficult tu say when intoxication began antu ceased anu where shock began and entered. After hearing evidence as to Goodman s movements on tile night before tile accident the Magistrate (Mr E. C. Levvey) said he was satisfied accused was in the condition alleged in the inlo’iaation.

Mr Moody put in a pica for leniency in regard to the penalty. On the quo., tion of the license of the car he said Goodman had many contracts outside of Gisbcrne which he had to visit in his car. Goodman had had a healthy lesson and counsel asked that ho be allowed to retain his .license. He had had a car since 1913.

The police stated that Goodman had had no prexjout convictions. The Magistrate lined accused £3O without mentioning the license. At the same sitting of the Court Archibald Gray Turnbull, a well-known Poverty Bay fanner and sportsman, admitted being found in a state of intoxication in c.iargo of a car.

The evidence showed that accused had been found in a street at 2.30 a.m. on June 17 in a state of intoxication.

Senior Sergeant Mac Lean said it was only fair to state that the police as a whole looked upon defendant as one of the “cream of the Country” as far as decency and sobriety were concerned.

The Magistrate said that in view of the wonderful testimony given by the police he would not treat the matter seriously, and inflicted a fine of £lO apd costs.