JESSIE CALLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 840, 7 December 1929, Page 32

JESSIE CALLS

Police Receive Plea for Help

never allowed liberty

“I am practically imprisoned and never allowed my liberty ... | would like your advice and assistance. . . - Telephone me at Y 2254 and I will try to explain. (Signed) Jessie.”

When lie received this cryptic call for aid, Plain-Clothesmau Richards, of Darlinghurst. was not excited. He was not even surprised. The police receive many strange messages from people who, for one reason or another, are unable or do not desire to call at the police station. Plaiu-Clothesmau Richards rang the number written ou the message.

A gruff male voice answered and the policeman, adopting a tone equally as gruff, asked: “Is Miss Jessie there?” •-Yes,” was the terse reply. “Well, I want to speak to her.” “Jessie can't come to the ’phone,” replied the man.

"Ah,” thought Richards, “the mystery deepens. They- won't even allow Jessie to use the telephone.” He thought for a moment and then said brusquely, “This is the police.” He paused to allow that to sink in and then added, “I want to speak to Miss Jessie. Allow her to come to the 'phone at once.” There was a sharp ejaculation from the man at the other end of the line. Evidently he was surprised that the police should have become interested in the plight of his ward, for it transpired that Miss Jessie was this man's ward. "Jessie is busy; she is with the children,” said the man evasively.

Mr. Richards was adamant. “Bring Miss Jessie to the ’phone,” he demanded.

There were further strange guttural sounds from Miss Jessie's guardian. Apparenty he could evade the police request no longer. His voice trembled with emotion. “Do you know Jessie?” he asked.

“Allow Miss Jessie to come to the 'phone. . . . YVhat is your address, anyhow?” was the response.

The reply was dramatic. “This is the zoo, and Jessie is at present giving the children rides.” A similar note w/, received by riain-Clothesman YValker, one of the youngest and most enthusiastic of the “mufti police” in the Darlinghurst divisiou. He was asked to ring Mr. Bear, of Messrs. Storkey and Co. He, too, was wrathfully disillusioned.

It appears that practical jokers who distribute such messages cause thousands of unsuspecting people to telephone to Taronga Park each year. It is sometimes more aggravating to the zoo telephone attendant than to the victim.