INTOXICATED IN CAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 13, 16 January 1932, Page 7

INTOXICATED IN CAR

BUS MANAGER FINED. CONSTABLE ON RUNNING BOARD. HAMILTON, Jan. 13. A charge of being intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car was preferred against Robert Edgar McCrae, aged 31, managing-director of Buses, Limited, Hamilton, before Mr. Wyvern Wilson. S.M., at the Hamilton Police Court today. When the case was first called accused pleaded not gt ilty, but later admitted the offence. Senior-Sergeant Sweeney said two

constables found accused sitting in his car in Anglcsea Street, Hamilton, about 1 a.m. on January 1. Accused refused to get out. Suddenly he started the vehicle and quickly accelerated. Constable Callaghan was thrown into a water-table, but Constable Aplin jumped on to the running-board. The car sped away at an estimated speed of 40 to 45 miles an hour. In spite of opposition by McCrae, Constable Aplin managed to get into the rear of the car and later into the front seat. Constable Aplin avoided struggling with the driver on account of the high speed at which the vehicle was travelling. Each time ho turned off the ignition switch accused switched it on again, but eventually the policeman was able to bring the car to a standstill on a hill. Accused hit the driver of the taxi in which he was brought to tho police station after being arrested.

A two-gallon keg of beer, two large bottles of boor and a half hottie of gin were found in accused’s car, added the senior-sergeant. Counsel for accused said McCrae bad left his home about midnight and walked to Frankton Junction, whore ho had left the car and the liquor. While waiting for some friends he had two gins and cordial. Accused had been incensed at the attitude adopted by the two plain-clothed policemen. “The police in New Zealand arc a reasonable body of men,” said Mr. Wilson, “and go about their duties in a proper manner. These two officers were in execution of their duty and it seems to me defendant should have been charged with obstructing them.” Accused was fined £2O and his license was suspended for three months.