A COWARDLY ASSAULT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 7

A COWARDLY ASSAULT.

TOtTNG WOMAN SANDBAGGED. ASSAILANT MAKES GOOD HIS ESCAPE. At intervals cases are reported in Auckland in which women, without any apparent cause whatever, are attacked and brutally assaulted. It is less than three months ago since a woman, living in Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Eden, was at night waylaid by an unknown man, who, after striking her twice in the face, and smashing several teeth, disappeared as suddenly as lie came. A mueili more serious Vase of an assault upon a woman, without any apparent motive, is now reported from Parnell. The assault took place on Sunday evening, shortly after half-past ten, when a young woman, of excellent character, in the employ of Mr. C. E. Palmer, was the victim of a most cowardly attack. The young Avonian had been visiting friends at Remuera, with whom she had gone to church, and had afterwards spent the evening. Coming home, she Avas startled to hear a man jump ovqr the gate of the St. Stephen's Maori Boye' School, in St. Stephen' 6 Avenue, just behind her. Her fears" were allayed, however, when she -saw two men I (Messrs. A. S. Bankart and E. 0. Smith) standing in front of Mr. Smith's residence, Avhich Avas Avithin hailing distance. After following lier for a few yards, the stranger idso apparently noticed people ahead, and crossed over to the other side of the road. No sooner had Messrs. Bankart and Smith been .passed.* however, than tlie man recrossed the road, and walking quietly, but quickly, was even with the woman almost before she was aware of it. She just had time to turn and catch sight of a welldressed young mini in a grey suit, wearing .a fair moustache,* when she received a blow on the head which sent her reeling to the footpath. Fortunately she had time to scream loudly 'before the blow reached her, and Messrs. Bankart and Smith at once ran to her assistance. The man, who had not spoken or made a sign of any kind, decamped, and Avas soon lost down Bridgewater Road. The injured woman was carried into Mr. Sharland's house, and remained there until she was well enough to be taken home to Mr. Palmer's residence. The police were communicated with, and Detective Hollis arrived almost immediately. A search of the locality, j however, failed to lend any clue as to the Avhereabouts or identity of the man. It is thought that something in the nature of a handbag must have been used by the assailant, for the young woman was practically unconscious when [picked up, and her hat, which was strongly made, was flattened out across the I crown. She is still suffering severely from tlie effects of the blow, and shock, and is likely to be laid up for some time. Robbery, of course, may have been the motive of' the assault. It may have been intended, to sandbag the woman, and then deprive her of her jewellery aud anything her bag contained. Her screams could possibly have scared tlie man, if such were his intention, but even so' he could easily have made a snatch at the bag before making off if he so desired, and this, as far as the young woman's dazed recollection carries her. he did not do. The case, on the other hand, is more like others which have preceded it, where women have been assaulted without motive, and left stunned and injured in lonely places. Such a case, three years ago, led to a Supremo Court trial, but the police have not so far succeeded in securing a conviction.