In brief

Press, 23 October 1989, Page 6

In brief

Taxi attack

Several taxi drivers came to the aid of a colleague who had a knife held to his throat by a would-be robber in Papatoetoe at 2 a.m. yesterday. The police said the driver radioed for help as he fought with his assailant. Other drivers disarmed the man and held him until the police arrived. A man, aged 22, will appear in the District Court at Otahuhu today. — PA.

Literacy Year

At least 5500 adults in Wellington city and suburbs have difficulties with reading and writing, according to Ms Betty Jeanne Eydt, a spokeswoman for the Adult Reading and Learning Assistance Society. Next year has been declared International Literacy Year by the United Nations. In New Zealand, the year will be introduced with a function at Parliament on Wednesday. Ms Eydt said one of the main aims of the year was to raise the community’s awareness of literacy issues. — PA.

Driving arrest

A woman, aged 25, was arrested after allegedly driving erratically in the Lyttelton road tunnel on Friday evening. She allegedly overtook a vehicle and continued to drive on the wrong side of the road, causing oncoming traffic to take evasive action. The Lyttelton police are seeking witnesses to the driving at 8 p.m.

Chase crash

A stolen car crashed in St Albans after being chased by the police and traffic officers at the week-end. The Mini was stolen from the central city soon after midnight on Saturday and chased for several kilometres before it crashed in Murray Place. A man, aged 21, was arrested and charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, refusing to stop and resisting arrest. He appeared in the District Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody to Thursday.

Alzheimers aid

The Government has granted $25,000 to help suffers of Alzheimers Disease in the Canterbury area. The Minister of Social Welfare, Dr Cullen, announced the grant to the ADARDS Sitter Service today. The service provides trained volunteers to look after dementia suffers at home for a morning or afternoon at least once a week. This allows care-givers time away from the sufferer.

Fears for baby

The police in Auckland say they are afraid for the safety of a two-month-old baby they believe was taken by his father in Lower Hutt nearly three weeks ago. They believe Roxinne Jade McCord was taken by Alexander David McCord, aged 28, on October 2 after visiting the home of his former wife. Senior-Sergeant Graham Bell said Mr McCord took the baby, ostensibly to show some people. Neither had been seen since. Mr McCord is now thought to be in the Auckland area, having lived in the region since the couple parted several months ago. — PA.