DRUNKEN MOTORISTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 May 1928, Page 5

DRUNKEN MOTORISTS.

FINED £5.

NAME SUPPRESSED,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., Monday.

Charged with being a state of intoxication while in control of a motorcar, a young man appeared before Mr J.’ L. Stout, S.M., in the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court this morning, and, through Mr Merton, pleaded guilty. In extenuation of the offence, counsel stated that recently defendant had undergone a somewhat worrying period on account of his wife’s illness, and it had really been due to lack of proper nourishment that the small amount of liquor taken had had an intoxicating effect. As defendant’s wife would be adversely affe&ted.in her illness were she to know of the occurrence, counsel asked for the suppression of his mime. On medical evidence bearing out the contention, the Magistrate granted the request, inflicting a fine of £5 and costs, 3s. MODIFIED PUNISHMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Monday. When George Hunter failed to appear in the Magistrate’s Court last Monday to answer a charge of having been intoxicated while in charge of a motor-car, the Magistrate considered the issue of a summons for his appearance, as defendant was iiable to imprisonment. Hunter, however, was lined £lO and his license was cancelled for twelve months.

In the Magistrate’s Court this morning the case was again mentioned by Mr A. G. Neill. Mr Neill recalled the facts of the case, and asked if the Magistrate would hear him on the question of the cancellation of the license.

Mr Bundle suggested that an application for a rehearing of the ease should be filed. The ease could be dealt with immediately. Mr Neill said defendant hnd_ come to Dunedin from Wvndham, and was still prepared to plead guilty to technically being in a state of intoxication. It was only a border-line ease, and the state of the man would have a general bearing on the application which would be made. In the afternoon the case was reheard, and Hunter was fined £ls, his license being cancelled for three months.