BRUTAL ASSAULT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1944, Page 6

BRUTAL ASSAULT

TAXI-DRIVER IN HOSPITAL

P.A. PALMERSTON N., This Day. A brutal assault on a taxi-driver is stated to have been perpetrated last evening near Mount Stewart by two young men who were passengers in the car.

The driver, Arthur Jervis, Linton Street, was taken to, hospital with a nasty scalp wound, bruises, and loss of blood.

Early in the evening Jeri'is, it is said, was approached at a stand in the city by two young men, ivho asked to be taken to Aivahuri. They had suitcases Avith them. One sat beside the driver, and the other in the back seat. They called at the Awahuri Hotel to ask where a supposed resident of the district lived. Then they requested to be driven to a house along the Mount SteAvart road. The taxi was stopped about half a mile along the road. The passengers got out to go into a house. They returned in a few minutes and entered th'e car, but their attitude made Jervis suspicious. He challenged them, and a scuffle ensued. While the driver was struggling AAdth the man in the front seat he received a heavy bloAv on the head from behind, the Aveapon used being a bottle. Jervis put his hands over his head to protect himself, at the same time pushing the door open. He received more heavy bloAvs, and the bottle broke. By this time he Avas almost covered Avith blood, but managed' to struggle on to the road. Fortunately a car coming in the opposite direction alarmed the attackers, avlio made off into the darkness. Jervis Avas brought back to the AAvahuri Hotel. The Feilding police were called and Jervis was brought to hospital His condition today Avas stated not to be serious, though he is suffering from shock.

The police state that tivo young men were arrested at Bulls "this morning in connection with the affair.