MAN HUNT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12965, 14 September 1936, Page 5

MAN HUNT

SEQUEL TO INTRUSION INTO ST. CUTHBERT’S COLLEGE. MATRON SAVAGELY ATTAOKED. CULPRIT ONLY PARTLY CLOTHED. (Press Association}. ( AUCKLAND, Sept, 13. The police are looking for a man who forced his way into Elgin House afSt. Cuthbert’s College,, Epsom, early on Saturday evening, struggled violently Avith tho matron, Miss Mary Price, and attempted to commie a grave assault upon her, as a result of Avhich she had to be taken to Mater Misericordiao hospital. She -was badly bruised and cut about the face and stitches had to be inserted in her mouth and forehead. A number of constables and detectives‘■conducted a man hunt 'until 2 o clock this morning and right through to-day the search continued. The story told by Miss Price to tho police Avas that, after visiting another part of the college, she returned to Elgin House and Avent upstairs to her quarters about 7 o’clock to prepare for bed. She Avas about to get undressed Avhen she heard a knock at the front door doAvnstail’s. She left her room and, Avhen she reached the lower floor, she Witched on the outsido light. The hall AVas in darnnet? s. When she opened the door she saw a man standing close to it and, apparently, he was only partly clothed.

Miss Price said that she sensed from the man’s attitude that there wu‘3 something Avrong and she attempted to close the door, but he thiust’ a foot fonvard and forced his way into the hall. Once there, he lnt her in the face and savagely attacked her They struggled the<re for some minutes until, at length, Miss Price managed to free herself and climb the stairs. Her assailant followed and again attempted to assault her, striking her repeatedly about the face and body. Ho suddenly desisted and hurriedly made his escape doAvnstairs and out through the open doonvay. Miss Price communicated Avith someone in another -part of the college l and Dr. Borrie Avas summoned and ordered her into hospital. Constables from Newmarket searched the. locality in Avhich the college is situated and detectives from the central station began their investigations. No arrest has so far been made.

Miss Price Avas recently appointed to the position of matron at St. Cuthbe.rt’s College, and she Avent into residence on Friday night.

Miss Price formerly resided in Gisborne with her mother and for ser’er ll years Avas matron at Gisborne Hig’.i School Girls’ Hostel. During the last few years she has held a similar position at Palmerston North.