“IT MUST BE STOPPED.”

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17242, 29 October 1927, Page 8

“IT MUST BE STOPPED.”

v MAGISTRATE’S FINAL WARNING. GAOL FOR DRUNKEN MOTORISTS. MOST ACCIDENTS'. DUE TO DRINK. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. When a motorist was charged today with intoxication, the Magistrate, Mr Mosley, said the only course was to send such men to gaol. “Day after day men are charged with being intoxicated while in charge of cars. I have done my best to warn them. Why a man in charge- of a car should take any liquor whatever is beyond me. Now I issue a further warning. I am seriously considering sending all intoxicated motorists to gaol. I am satisfied that 90 per cent, of the accidents are caused by men having taken a little liquor—their equilibrium is disturbed, they become more venturesome, and they take risks they would not take in the ordinary course. It must be stopped.” In the present case Edmund James Wall, aged 50, a salesman, was fined £lO, in default 14 days’ imprisonment, and his license was cancelled till March 31, 1928.

ANOTHER CASE. £2O FINE IMPOSED. LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR YEAR. IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Charles Andrew Hebend, married, 43, pleaded guilty at Petone to being drunk while in charge of a car. Counsel said that defendant had been driving around with a wine merchant, and had had occasion to visit several hotels. He had not actually driven the car when drunk.

The Justices, however, took a serious view of the case as they held accused would probably have attempted to drive off if the police had not intervened. They imposed a £2O fine, a prohibition order and 12 months’ suspension of his driving license.