ASKED TO BE LOOKED UP

Evening Star, Issue 21622, 18 January 1934, Page 12

ASKED TO BE LOOKED UP

MAN’S REQUEST TO POLICE FEARED A TRAGEDY WOULD OCCUR [Per United Pubes Association.] WELLINGTON, January 18. Frank Parker (34), a labourer, was charged to-day with being a rogue and vagabond ; in that he was found by night, without lawful excuse, in the Trocaclero Hotel. The police said he had been found under a bejl. He had been drinking, and was allowed to leave the premises; but later in the night his actions in the street had been noticed by'a constable. He was in a very unbalanced mental state, and said he would not be responsible for what he might do to a certain woman. He suggested that the police should put him in an asylum, and lie was brought to the police station at his own request, ho saying that if he was not taken into custody there would be a tragedy worse 1 than the James one. Since ho had been in custody the authorities had seen nothing to suggest that he was not a normal person, he having shown no indication of mental instability. Parker told the magistrate he had done his utmost for the woman, and had intended to get her and the children back again. She had made all sorts of promises, but had never fulfilled them. Mr Stillwell imposed a sentence of six months’ imprisonment. “ You, yourself, seem to recognise that you must be put under some form of restraint, in view of possibilities,” he said to Parker, who had pleaded guilty to the charge.