EDENDALE OUTRAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 9

EDENDALE OUTRAGE

ATTEMPT TO ROB BANK

Details of the ; attempted bank robbery at the premises of the Bank of New South Wales, at Edendale, Southland, last Tuesday,'; show that the manager, Mr.. Robert Archibald, and his wife,, displayed courage and presence of mind in a dangerous situation.'

When the intruders made their appearance—ono carrying a loaded rifle and the other, a sandbag—Mr. and Mrs. Archibald were-sitting in a kitchen. When footsteps were heard coming down the hallway neither was concerned, for they thought that the two Children, who slept in a. nearby bedroom, were coming into the kitchen. ■ At.the time it was about 11 p.m. The intruders had apparently got in through an open window in the sitting-room, which faces Morton street, the bank itself.- facing;. 3,lajii; street. .It. is- believed 1,0 have been thy intention of: the men to have held up the manager with tho rifle .and , ,compelled him to hand over the keys of the bank. Had this plan met with success, one of tho intruders Would have ! kept guard over the couple with the rifle, while the other robbed the bank. .'"

Hearing the door ! being softly opened, Mrs. Archibald jumped up, and the first thing Mr. Archibald saw was a tall man With arifle pushing past his wife through the hall door. The first man was .followed .by a second and smaller man. Both wore masks which completely covered their heads and necks, had eye-slits only, and appeared to be made from black stockings. Tho man with the rifle covered Mr. Archibald as he stood up, and said in a low but-sharp voice, "Keep still —don't move,' '■■.- Mr. Archibald stated in an interview with a Southland newspaper that he was nonplussed for the moment and did not speak. ""

MBS. ARCHIBALD ATTACKED,

The smaller man, who was armed, with, a sandbag, started to attack Mi-fi. Archibald, beating her about.the head and shoulders. One blow , broke her spectacles, and left a cut across the left cheek. Mr. Archibald made, a rush at the man with the sandbag, and succeeded in getting "between him and Mrs. Archibald.- Mr. Archibald received a ; blow ovei-:tli6 head with this sandbag, but it burst, scattering , sand all over the kitchen wall,.as well as on Mr Archibald's head., Mr. Archibald closed with the man, wrestling, with him in the corner of the kitchen near the hall door. ■ Mrs. Archibald 'dashed out of the back door, screaming for help as sho ran. The tall man pursued her.' -.- . ■ ■.. .!■■■-■■■- . •■ ■■ ■

Mr. Archibald got the better of Ma opponent,, pushed him aside, and went to his Wife's assistance. He could not see m the darkness, however, as he had lost his spectacles in the scuffle. Hu raced for the gate, but could not find it. When he called out his wife replied that she was safe on the next-'1 door neighbour's verandah. Mrs i Archibald had not eluded her pursueraltogether, for he had grabbed lier and" put his hand over her niouti la an'1 attempt, to stop her cries. Sho had' frightened him away with her screaming. Mr. Archibald finally found the gato and got to the next house to get i help, and .with., the neighbour came back, but could find no trace of the intruders. Mr. Archibald had the: keys of the bank in his pocket at the time of the attack. He had no fire- ■' arms handy, his revolver being in the , bedroom.

Mrs. Archibald was badly shaken as the result of her experience. She bore marks of the' struggle and was bruised, _The: rifle, which was carried by one of tho men is an old Bemington repeater, .22 model. It was found in Mr. Archibald's garden and was loaded with one round only. The 'sandbag, which was about ft foot long and 6£in in circumference, was made of heavy cloth and filled with beach sand.