TOURIST’S DRINKING BOUT

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 16

TOURIST’S DRINKING BOUT

IN HOSPITAL WITH O.T’S. STATE'S BILL £sl [Pea United Pkbsb Association.] AUCKLAND, February 27. “ This man is a tourist who recently arrived from England to write a book on New Zealand,” said Senior Sergeant Flanagan in tho Police Court when Roderick Douglas Nish, aged 134 years, described as a marine engineer, appeared on a charge of helpless drunkesuess on February 2. _ “ 1 am denying this charge, because I had no liquor either on February 2 or the day before,” said Nish. “ You had liquor at some time, because when arrested you wore in the D.T’s,” said Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M. “This man arrived at Auckland only a couple of days prior to his arrest, and lie had been staying at a city hotel, ’ said Senior Sergeant Flanagan. “He did not get liquor at the hotel. I think he had it on the ship. He was in hospital from February 3 until February 19, and his hospital bill amounts to £lO 4s. In addition, three constables Were on duty on eight-hour shifts every day watching him in hospital for seventeen days. The charge is £1 per day for each constable, so this bill amounts to £51.” Mr Hunt (to Nish): Now you sco what you have cost this country. Nish; I will ho able to pay, I have a few pounds, and 1 am expecting a draft from Home. Senior Sergeant Flanagan said that Nish seemed to be well connected in England, and was shortly to get sorno money. The charge was dismissed, and on the magistrate’s advice Nish took out a prohibition order.