Stone-Thrower Begins Late

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 14

Stone-Thrower Begins Late

(Neu: Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 28. Police think they have a new lead in their investigations into the mysterious stonethrowing incidents at Ohiro Lodge. Brooklyn. A police spokesman said about 12.45 this morning investigations have been concentrated on a certain aspect of the matter but no details could be disclosed. The thrower was back at work soon after 11 p.m. last night. By that time most of a crowd of about 800 which had gathered since 6 p.m. had left “disappointed.”

By midnight a number of rocks and stones and at least two pennies had hit the house. The attack lasted about hatf-an-hour. It began in the same way as that of the previous night with first a penny being thrown at the building and then pieces of rock. A boarder on the premises said he heard someone tapping on one of the unbroken windows soon after 11 p.m. but by the time he had got outside to investigate the latest attack had s'arted. Occupants of the house, who looked forward to a night of rest, had for the fourth niglht in succession interrupted sleep. Earlier a moist, misty night had failed to dampen the enthusiasm of scores of spectators in Ohiro road. But it was thought to have stopped the stone-thrower.

Mrs Beatty said: "A large i crowd like us. is waiting for something to happen. So far [nothing has.” i About 14 windows, and a glass door had been damaged by stones since the barrage began on Sunday night. Mr.s Beatty estimated dam[age at almost £2O. "but we i won't know until we get the bill.” I Earlier a dramatic appeal to the thrower was broadcast by Mrs Beatty. She said: 'Whoever you are 1 would ask you in all sincerity to please leave us alone. “We have done you no I harm at all. "My husband is a sick man. He has a bad heart and I think it is dreadful that a man like that who works hard has to put up with this sort of thing.” said Mrs Beatty. Mrs Beatty said that her lodgers were taking the inc - dent very well. "The buys have been wonderful.” Mrs Beat'y said she had spent- some time on the stage as a dancer —"but this is worse than that."

The ’ wife of the owner of I the lodge. Mrs R. A Beatty, said at 8.30 p.m. that no I stones had been thrown since 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Tuesday mght's barrage stopped completely at 930 [ oitn. Most of the policemen ’left at midnight and the guest house occupants retired for the night. | A sidelight to that attack was the participation of some 'of the more unruly element in the crowd. At least twice i people in tihe crowd were [noticed throwing pennies and | -'mall stones at the house. I The busiest man in Brooklyn on Tuesday night, apart from the stone-thrower, wm the proprietor of a nearby dairy who did extremely brisk business until a late hour, Mr and Mrs Beatty continue to receive telephone calls from would-be helpers and others from throughout New Zealand