HEAVY FINE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21043, 21 February 1940, Page 6

HEAVY FINE

NO DRIVING LICENSE

FARMHAND BEFORE COURT THIRD SIMILAR CONVICTION A fine of £2O was imposed on Albert George Harrison, a farmhand, who was charged before Mr S. L Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, to-day, with failing to have a driver’s license. The case arose out of an incident on December 27, in which Harrison was stopped by Traffic Inspector A E. Hodgson on the main road near Ngaruawahia. It was stated by the inspector that the defendant had had his license cancelled in New Plymouth, but since then had twice been convicted for driving a car without one. Harrison, who did not appear, faced charges of driving without due care and attention, of failing to possess a license and of having no warrant of fitness for his car. On the latter two charges he was fined £1 and £2 respectively, while he was also prohibited from obtaining a driving license before 1942. New Plymouth Offence In evidence Inspector Hodgson said Harrison passed through Ngaruawahia singing and waving his arms about to attract attention. The course of the car was erratic, and when witness came up to Harrison he found that defendant was driving the car with one hand and had the other round a woman companion. Referring to Harrison’s previous convictions, the inspector said his license had been cancelled for six months for reckless driving in New Plymouth. He was also convicted at that time for failing to possess a warrant of fitness.

The case in New Plymouth, said Inspector Hodgson, resulted from defendant's having driven down the main street sitting on the back of the seat and steering with his feet. When his driving license w*as cancelled defendant had frankly stated that he would drive without it. “This young man is quite an irresponsible type of person,” added witness.