A CURATE ATTACKED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1362, 13 February 1912, Page 4

A CURATE ATTACKED.

HIS ASSAILANT DRAWS A KNIFE, "STAND BACK. OR I'LL KNOCK YOU DOWN!" A highly dramatic incident marked the close of tho service at SL Jnuifs's Church, Lower Hutt, on Sunday evening. Whilst the Rev. W. A. Cross was delivering Mβ sermon, a member of the congregation, named Robin, known in Hie Hutt district, whs noticed to behnye very peculiarly, nnd appeared to Ik> in a very agitated stale of mind. At the conclusion of the service, Mr. Crops retired as usual to the vestry, and was promptly followed by lioiKn, who immediately began shouting and yelling at thu minister, and behaving in a" very threatening manner. Hi? attitude \ras so bellicose that the rovowml gentleman, anticipating trouble, said: "Stnml buck, Robin, or I'll knock you down!" Robin retired a few feet, then pulled out a knife, and made to attack: the clergyman who, seeing the danger, closed with his assailant, and after a brief struggle threw him to the floor. Hearing the noise, other male monitors of the congregation entered the room, and assisted Mr. Cross to hold the man in restraint unliil the police nrrived, when ho was placed in custody. The nun was examined by doctors in Christchureli at Christmas time, but was not considered a fit subject fo-r an asylum. A wwlc a«o, h« was again examined by two doctors in Wellington, nnd, as one of these considered Robin was sane, the magistrate refused to commit him to an asvlnni. Yesterday, however, it is nndVrstood that two .doctors saw Robin at the lower Hutt. and pronounced him to lie mentally unbalanced.