CONSTABLE SHOT

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1944, Page 8

CONSTABLE SHOT

Struggle with Three Men

AUCKLAND ROBBERY AFFAIR. P-A. AUCKLAND, August 11. t A constable was shot in the left elbow, when he attempted to conduct three men to the Newton Police Station, early this morning He was Constable Richard Thomas Mayer. He was on duty in Karangahape Road, shortly before one o’clock, being tne only policeman in that area at tne time. When near the corner of Karangahape Road and France Street, he heard the sound of breaking glass, and walked towards Upper Queen Street. Outside the premises of tne Wholesale Clearing Company he saw a man standing on the footpath. This man denied hearing the breaking of glass, but while the constable was speaking to him, he noticed two other men in the doorway of the premises. Noticing the glass panel near the Ipck was smashed, the constagle requested all three men to accompany him to tne Newton Police Station, and the four started to walk along Karangahape Road, the constable being in the rear. When near the corner of France Street, one of the men said he wished to use the telephone and dashed away. The other two men immediately followed, but the constable caught one and a struggle began. The two other men then returned. One of them joined in an attack on the Constable' raining blows on his head. The constable had drawn his baton but was unable to use it as his assailants forced him against the wall of the building. The third man took no part in the assault, standing twelve feet away. The constable saw this man put his right hand in his overcoat pocket and pull out something, which shone in the light of the street lamp. Eventually after the constable had been severely punished about the head and face the two men, who were attacking him broke away. As Mayer fell to the footpath, he heard a report like a revolver shot, the next thing he remembered was when a taxi-driver rolled him over op his back on the footpath. At Mayer’s direction, the taximan went to Newton Police Station, and returned with Sergeant Denehy, who found Mayer very, distressed, bleeding down the face, still standing in the doorway. The constable was taken to Auckland Hospital, where it was found he had a bullet wound in the fleshy part of his left elbow. The bullet had missed the bone. Returning to the scene later, the Sergeant found the bullet in the woodwork of a window. After tne treatment the constable was able to go home. No arrests have yet been made.