GRAHAM THE GAWKY.

NZ Truth, Issue 470, 20 June 1914, Page 3

GRAHAM THE GAWKY.

A Flapper m Fear. Henry Has No Chance. Before the S.M. had subsided from the shock which the taxi case occasioned, he was confronted with a young; well-dressed man named Henry Graham, who was charged with having assaulted a flapper m High-street on Monday evening. Lawyer Cassidy appeared for Graham, who pleaded not guilty. Sub -Inspector McKinnon, outlining t.ho case, calmed the S.M. somewhat Gy mentioning that the case was one of merely common or garden assault. The flapper was toddling home, via High-street, when Graham breasted up and w.alked alongside" of her. After he had accompanied her a little distance, ho clutched her wing and asked her to dino with him. The flapper appealed to a passer-by for protection, and . ' * GRAHAM DID A GET, but was subsequently collected by a John 'Op. The flapper reckoned she was sweet sixteen, and resented the advances of any old body who cared to introduce himself. Graham made, his presence smelt near the Clock Tower m Highstreet, and ambled along with her as far as the Globe Picture Palace, a distance of three or four chains, when he asked if she would go to tea with him. Maiden -like, she endeavored to glide, but he grabbed her* by the arm, and she asked the first man who happened along to help her. Richard Midgeley, the bloke who was appealed to, gave evidence to tho effect that when tho girl craved his protection ho gave what little ho hafi, and Graham immediately floated into tho next street. . The S.M. : H'm, the girl wanted to cot away from him. and you went to her assistance. Quite right. Tho John 'Op who collected Graham said that Graham denied having CAUGHT THE GIRL BY THE WING. Lawyer Cassidy said that the offender worked at Belfast and had never been stirred up m any previous bother. Graham told the court that he was merely walking along High-street, waiting for his brother-when the timid little flapper happened along, He mistook her for a girl who lived next door ; but one to his place, and he asked her if she was "coming' home to tea." He didn't lay a finger on her, but went away as soon as he discovered his blunder. Sub-Inspector McKinnon: Where did you meet her?— At the Clock Tower. And you left her m Hereford-street! it took you a lonff time to find out your mistake! Lawyer Cassidy assured the bench that he could call witnesses as to Graham's good character, but the S.M. cut him short with the remark that there was ' TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE WITH YOUNG GIRLS m Christchurch, and it had to bo stopped: Mr. Bishop cheered up the offender some more by, saying that ho didn't believe a word of his story. Men of Graham's turn of mind seemed to think than any young girl who was alono and unprotected was fair prey. If there had been anything known against Graham he would havo been sent up without the option; as his rocord appeared to be clean,, however, he would only be fined a fiver, m default a month's imprisonment.