STRANGE CONDUCT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23042, 20 May 1938, Page 17

STRANGE CONDUCT

FALL IN FRONT OF CAE,

MAN'S DELIBERATE ACT NARROWLY MISSED BY DRIVER AWKWARD MISTAKE FOLLOWS [BT TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday To have a man rush out from the footpath and throw himself on his back, •pith arms and legs asprawl, in front of his car was the nerve-wracking experience of the Christ church City Council accountant, Mr C. S. Bowie, to-day. With difficulty Mr. Bowie avoided the man, for whom the police are now searching. To cap an eventful morning, there was an amusing sequel later in his office. Mr. Bowie, who lives at Cashmere, driving his car into town shortly before n hie o'clock this morning when he noticed the man standing on the ■footpath. Suddenly, as Mr. Bowie's car was just about opposite the man, he ran from the footpath and threw himgelf headlong in its path. Man Missed by Inches "He either threw himself on his back or rolled over after diving in front of B e," said Mr. Bowie. Mr. Bowie braked and swerved sharply, just missing the man by inches. •i,s soon as possible ho looked back through his rear window and saw the man pick himself up and walk to the other side of the road, where he took pp his waiting position again. Mr. Bowie's next action was to telephone the Beckcnham polico station. He left a message saying what had occurred and giving his name and his office address in caso further details were required. Resuming his journey into town, Mr. Bowie decided that he vould take further steps to have the man placed' under restraint, and so he drove to the central police station, where he made a statement, f This meant that he was half an hour late in arriving at the City Council office. In the meantime, the constable at Beckenhanr had telephoned and asked for Mr. Bowie. Typist's Error

'A typist who answered the telephono told the constable that he had not yet arrived, and then the constable mentioned "attempted suicide." The word "suicide" was enough for the typist. What she said is not very clear,* but it was sufficient to give others the impression that Mr. Bowie had committed suicide. There was consternation in the office, and the distress was only allayed by the arrival of Mr. Bowie himself. During the morning police searched ;the district for a man answering the description given by Mr. Bowie.