MURDER HOAX.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 7

MURDER HOAX.

STUDENT CHARGED. TELEPHONE MESSAGE. . , POLICE RUSH TO COLLEGE. «IRRESPONSIBLE CONDUCT." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUXEDIX, this day. A senseless hoax which was perpetrated on the police on Saturday night, by which they were led to believe that a prominent figure in academic and ecclesiastical circles had been murdered, had a sequel in the Police Court this morning when a medical student, George de Lacy Femvick, was charged with making a false statement to the police that a crime had been committed. Senior Sergeant Packer said the accused had admitted the offence, but as there were others concerned an adjournment would be necessary. Mr. Silverstone appeared for the accused, who was not present in court. The Senior Sergeant said that nt 11.40 oil Saturday night a telephone message was received by Sergeant Forsytlie at the watch house. "Is that the police station?" said a voice. "Send some police up here at once. I have just found Doctor Merrington murdered." The sergeant questioned the person ringing, and was satisfied that everything was in order. "Please liury," the voice continued. "Mr. Sim, sub-master at Knox College speaking. Pleas 6 hurry. I can't wait any longer." The sergeant and three policemen speeded to the college by motor' to find that. Dr. Merrington was well, and that nothing had occured. The police immediately set about making inquiries, and the constable located the accused at another college. Senior Sergeant Packer strongly criticised the irresponsible conduct of perpetrators of such hoaxes as this. If other calls were received the police might possibly hesitate and investigate their authenticity acting, and if the matter were genuine some minutes which were of paramount importance in the detection of crime might be lost. In this particular case the call was naturally treated as genuine, and a carload of police rushed to Knox College where, after some inconvenience of the residents there, the report was found to be without foundation. Mr. Packer mentioned that three other students were involved, and the case called for the fullest Investigation.' Counsel for defendant asked for the suppression of the name, but the magistrate, after ascertaining that Femvick had admitted the offence, refused to grant the application.