BANK ATTACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 114, 15 May 1936, Page 7

BANK ATTACK.

MANAGER STRUCK. STRUGGLE IN BUILDING ASSAILANT DISARMED. REMANDED IN CUSTODY. A sensational attack was made in the Point Chevalier branch of the Auckland Savings Bank at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when the officer in charge, Mr. J. G. Worboys, was struck on the head by an intruder, who was armed with a piece of lead piping. Mr. Worboys, although dazed by the blow, quickly recovered and succeeded in hitting his assailant hard, disarming him and keeping him in his office under cover of a pistol until Constable L. Spellman, of Point Chevalier, arrived. Mr. Worboys was alone in the bank's branch at the time of the attack. As he came out of his office to walk along the passage leading to the front door he received a blow on the forehead with a piece of lead piping. He was taken completely by surprise. In giving an account of the assault made upon him, Mr. Worboys said today that he reeled and fell back into a corner of his office after being struck with the piping, which was about 18in in length. "I was in a sitting position, with the man standing over me," he states. "The man had hold of the lapels of my coat. Then I lost my temper and went for him, for he had again brandished the piece of lead piping, apparently with the intention of striking me again. So I closed with him and sent him sprawling on the floor. I managed to get the piping from him." Passer-by Called In. According to another bank official, Mr. Worboys "dumped" and "slammed" his assailant "good and hard." While the intruder stood alongside the wall, evidently a bit dazed, Mr. Worboys went to the front door and asked a young man, Mr. J. Holden, of 18, Millais Street, Grey Lynn, if he would come into the bank for a moment, "as there had been a little trouble." Mr. Worboys then went to his desk and secured his pistol, keeping it in his hand well in view of his assailant. Mr. Worboys then telephoned the head office of the Savings Bank and asked that someone should come out to Point Chevalier. That was at 4.20 p.m. One of the officials left in a taxi for Point Chevalier and assisted Mr. Worboys and Mr. Holden to guard the prisoner until Constable Spellman arrived at 4.35 p.m. and took the man in charge. Police Summoned. Constable Spellman immediately telephoned the detective office, and SeniorDetective S. G. Hall, Detective-Sergeant A. G. McHugh and Detective A. Moore were dispatched to the bank in a fast police car. It was 4.55 when the man was arrested and brought to the city lock-up, which was reached at 5.30 p.m.

Mr. Worboys' injury Is not at all serious. This morning he was examined by a doctor, who stated that no complications were likely to result from the blow received on the left temple. Mr. Worboys has been granted several days' leave from his duties. A short but well set-up man, Mr. Worboys joined the bank in 1920, having served in various blanches in Auckland and at the main office. He was appointed to take charge of the Point Chevalier branch two years ago. Ihe man taken into custody was James Billing. This morning he appeared in the Police Court before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M. Described as a bushman, aged 39, Billing was charged that yesterday, with intent to facilitate the commission of the crime of theft, lie violently attempted to render James Godfrey Worboys incapable of resistance. Senior Detective Hall applied for a remand until May 21. Mr. J. J.,Sullivan appeared for Billing. The magistrate granted the remand.