“RATHER LUCKY”

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1929, Page 2

“RATHER LUCKY”

CHARGE AGAINST MEDICAL MAN. BOTTLES THROWN INTO STREET. Auckland, Nov. 20. "This man was. taken to the police cells for his own protection,” said SubInspcctor McCarthy at the magistrate’s court this morning when Dr. James Watkin Harper, whose surgery is situated in the Pacific Buildings, was fined £5 on a charge of throwing abottle in Wellesley Street on Saturday night ’to th© danger of . pedestrians. Charges of drunkenness, throwing a missile, and wilfully damaging a cell floor at- the police station to' the extent of £1 were brought against the medical man, for whom Mr. Allan Moody appeared, Mr, Moody said the charge of drunkenness could hardly be proceeded with, as accused wa& on. his own property and not in a. public place. The two othei charges would be admitted. The police then withdrew the charge of drunkenness. Mr. Moody said Dr. Harper had been in practice in Auckland for some time. He came from England with excellent qualifications. During the Great War Dr. Harper served not only with the land forces but with the air force. "It was a question of stupidity and thoughtlessness in throwing a bottle into the street,” said counsel, “and unfortunately at the time my client did not appreciate that he had done such a foolish thing. He had to spend Bome time in the police cells. That, coupled with the publicity, that Dr. Harper got on Monday last, is a severe' punishment in itself. I would earnestly g,sk Your Worship if you could see your way not to convict accused on these charges, which he has frankly admitted. I think Your Worship would be justified in taking such a course in consequence of the deep humility which Dr. Harper has suffered. "This man’s rather' lucky,” said SubInspector McCarthy. "There were three bottles thrown by him, and if one of them had struck a passer-by in the street below he might have been here on a much more serious charge. The bottle-throwing took place between 9 and 10 p.m. on Saturday, when there were a good few people passing up and down Wellesley Street. The police took him to the cells for his own protection.” Mr. Hunt fined accused £5 for throwing a missile and dismissed the charge of damage to the police cell floor on payment of the damage done. "Why, if a man threw a bottle in the street I would fine him £5 for it,” said the magistrate.