GRAFTON BRIDGE AFFAIR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 183, 6 July 1936, Page 2

GRAFTON BRIDGE AFFAIR.

STORY IN COURT,

YOUNG WOMAN CHARGED,

Per Press Associaton

' AUCKLAND, July 4. The story of the dramatic rescue by a taxi driver of a beautiful Australian woman, aged 22, in the act of jumping over Grafton bridge at 2.45 yesterday morning was told in tile Police Court this morning. The girl pleaded guilty to an attempt to commit suicide. Sub-Inspector Fox said the taxidriver, when crossing the bridge, saw a girl in evening dress standing on the ledge with her elbows on the parapet. He alighted from the vehicle, and asked: “Are you not feeling well?” She climbed the parapet and he rushed towards her. She had one leg over the parapet and when he caught hold of her she struggled to get free. With the assistance of a passer-by she was taken to the Auckland Hospital, where she was discharged this morning. According to the story the girl told the police, she came from Australia last January and after stopping with her cousin took a flat in the city, taking a commercial course at a business college. On Wednesday night she attended a ball and, finding that her escort and some of his friends were intoxicated, left for home alone. She had taken some liquor herself and this, coupled with the fact that she had not been . sleeping well lately, apparentlj caused her depression. Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., asked: You did this just because your friend got drunk ?

Accused; Yes; but I’ve been studying too much lately. I was perfectly sober. I’m awfully, sorry, and I won’t try to do such a thing again. If my people hear of this it will make theig most unhappy. Accused said she would like to complete her course and then return tq Australia at Christmas time. Accused’s cousin approached the Magistrate and said she would go tq stop with accused. ... The Magistrate to accused: I don’lj wish to entef- a conviction, but yoq should give up taking intoxicating liquor. How often do you go to dances? Accused: About once a week. Everybody else seems to drink at dances. Tlie Magistrate: That may be. butf you don’t want to be like a lot o{ sheep and do what everyone does. The Magistrate adjourned the casq for six months.