HOAX ON POLICE

Southland Times, Issue 22917, 16 June 1936, Page 8

HOAX ON POLICE

SUPPOSED MURDER OF PROMINENT MAN ARREST OF MEDICAL STUDENT (United Press Association.) Dunedin, June 15. A hoax perpetrated on the police on Saturday night, by which they were led to believe that a prominent figure in academic and ecclesiastical circles had been murdered, had its sequel in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when a medical student, George de Lacy Fenwick, was charged with making a false statement to the police that a crime had been committed. Senior-Sergeant Packer said that the accused had admitted the offence, but as three others were concerned, an adjournment might be necessary. Mr Silverston appeared for the accused, who was not present in the Court. The Senior-Sergeant said that at 11.40 on Saturday night a telephone message had been received by Sergeant Forsythe at the watch-house: “Is that the Police Station? Send some police up here at once. I have just found Dr Merrington murdered!” The Sergeant questioned the person ringing, and the latter satisfied him that everything was in order. “Please hurry!” the voice continued. “Sim, Sub-Master at Knox College, speaking. Please hurry, I can’t wait any longer.” A sergeant and three policemen speeded to the college by motor car, to find that Dr Merrington was well and that nothing had occurred, said the Senior-Sergeant. The police immediately set out on inquiries, and a constable located the accused at another college. He admitted the offence. The Senior-Sergeant said that such a practice, besides being foolish, might be very dangerous, because, if such messages were received it was possible that, when a genuine message was received by the police, a few valuable minutes might be lost while inquiries were made. Counsel’s application for the suppression of the accused’s name was refused and the charge was adjourned till Monday.