MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 259, 1 November 1928, Page 8

MIDNIGHT VISITOR.

HOSPITAL NURSES' HOME. ENGLISHMAN'S ESCAPADE. "IN A CANTANKEROUS MOOD."

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHLRCH, this day

"In making his escape from the Nurses' Home lie jumped on to a glass roof and damaged both the roof and himself," said Chief-Detective Carroll when Egerton Shelley Walter Hanbury Leigh Hunt, a young man, educated at Westminster, England, was charged in the Police Court with having been unlawfully on the premises of the Nurses' Home of the Christchurch Hospital on Snnday night.

The Chief-Detective added that Hunt was found at midnight in the Nurses' Home. Apparently he had not gone there for any unlawful purpose. The police were summoned, but he had made his escape before they arrived. There was nothing known against him.

"He came to New Zealand to learn farming, but he has discovered that farming is not his natural bent," said Mr. Bowie, who appeared for Hunt. "He is therefore returning to England. Before going back he thought he would like a bit of a spree with his friends, and h was drinking freely and was in a cantankerous mood. He was not there at the'invitation or anyone. The nurses had nothing to do with it."

Counsel said derendant had made a full statement to the police and he had appeared voluntarily this morning. He was prepared to pay for the damage done. The Magistrate: Has he got £3 10/? Mr. Bowie replied that defendant would be able to get the money from an Auckland solicitor, who was acting for his mother.

In asking for the suppression of defendant's name counsel said lie understood that one of the muses had been dismissed from the hospital. It was believed that if his name were published people would link up the matter with that of the nurse.

The Magistrate: It always harms others. Unfortunately I cannot suppress the name. He is convicted and discharged and ordered to pay £3 10/ damages, in default seven days' hard labour.