WARMING IGNORED.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17503, 10 September 1928, Page 6

WARMING IGNORED.

GROCER HEAVILY FINED. INTOXICATION ALLEGED. ATTEMPT TO DRIVE CAR. A fine of £ls was imposed upon Martin Bourke, storekeeper, of Claudelands, by Mr F. W. Platts, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court this morning. Accused was charged with being found in a state of intoxication while in charge of a motor car in Clyde Street, about. 6 o’clock last Saturday night. A plea of guilty was entered. Senior-Sergeant Sweeney informed His Worship that Constable Kirby observed accused slightly under the influence of liquor, and, knowing that he was the driver of a motor car, warned him. Defendant, however, ignored the warning, and jumped into the car. When arrested later by the constable accused demanded to see a doctor. The Senior-Sergeant read the doctor’s statement which testified that accused was not drunk in the ordinary sense. He was slightly unsteady, and certainly not fit to have charge of a motor car. Furthermore, accused was hampered as he had only one arm. Mr J. F. Strang, for accused, said on the facts his client appeared to have committed a breach of the law. His motor car was indispensable for carrying on his business. Accused went to a hotel at Hamilton East and had three long "handles.” He had done no actual harm, and publication of his name would be detrimental to his business. His client was not a heavy drinker, and a rather quiet man. He also asked that the license should not be cancelled. Mr Platts said the offence was far too serious for suppression of the name. Accused was ffned £ls, and his license was ordered to be cancelled.