Lawyer says bombimg of his car ‘sign the times’

Press, 20 December 1986, Page 10

Lawyer says bombimg of his car ‘sign the times’

PA Auckland Auckland criminal lawyer, Christopher Harder, says he must accept yesterday’s bombing at his home in Remuera, as a “sign of the times.” “Even so, it is a real shock to the system,” he said.

“If you practise in criminal law, there is a certain element which you must take into account.”

Mr Harder’s Mercedes car was badly damaged in the blast, which rocked the Eastbourne Road house about 5.15 a.m.

Windows in the carport and an adjoining office

were blown out. Mr Harder, his wife, and two pre-school children were not injured. The police are looking for a blue Holden Statesman de Ville seen travelling along Remuera Road at speeds of up to 140 km/h about the time of the attack.

The car failed to stop at several red lights. Neighbours reported hearing a vehicle leave the scene at speed just before the explosion. Detective Sergeant John Dewar, of the Newmarket C. 1.8., said a stick of gelignite had apparently been placed in a plastic

container on the rear wheel of Mr Harder’s 1972 model car.

“It would seem to have been intended to frighten and intimidate, rather than cause injury or death,” he said. The uninsured car, and debris scattered about the carport will undergo forensic tests by the D.S.I.R. Nearby residents were moved out and the road was cordoned off while Labour Department experts and a sniffer dog searched the property for other explosives.

Mr Harder said he had his suspicions about who was responsible.

“I enjoy my occupation. The courtroom is a challenge. It is just unfortunate that someone misdirects their anger in this fashion,” Mr Harder said. “The next time the Law Society challenges my fees, I will tell them I think we are entitled to charge extra for danger money.”

The attack is the third on a prominent criminal lawyer in Auckland this year.

In September, Miss Lorraine Smith and her husband were set upon in their Herne Bay home by two men, one armed with a knife.

Two months earlier, the home of Mr Peter Williams was set alight while five people slept inside.

No arrests have been made in connection with either incident.

The president of the Auckland District Law Society, Mr Simon Lockhart, said he was naturally disturbed that members should become targets for violence.

All three victims had high - profiles in the criminal law field.

“But what can you do?” he asked, “build pallisades around every lawyer’s home?”