SENTRY RUNS AMOK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 27 March 1926, Page 6

SENTRY RUNS AMOK.

SENSATION IN SYDNEfY. GOVERNMENT HOUSE SCENE Maddened with drink and aimed with a bayoneted service rihe, a naval sentry at .Admiralty House, tlie Sydney residence of tlhe Governor-General, ran amok late one recent afternoon. i’or more than an hour he held at bay memlbeiis of Lord Sitone,haven’s household and ,a section of naval ratings and civilians. After a- terrific struggle he was. then overpowered by a constable and arrested. Captain A. R. W. Curtis,' military secretary to Lord Stonehaven, Mr. Robinson received severe injuries to the groin, as well as many cuts and facial lacerations. ITis eyes were also injure a. Three times Gap tain. Gurtls grappled with the man, who is a member of the crew of H.M.A.S. Penguin. Each time the pair fell to the ground and rolled about in the mud, struggling for mastery. Tlhe trouble began about 4.30 p.im., when flie sentry stationed at Admiralty House was, drinking beer with a civilman. Clap tain Curtis, who arrived in Sydney that morning with Lord Stonehaven! heard of tlie sentry’s conduct and wenlt| out to stop him. He took, a bottle of beer from tlie civilian and ordered, hint away. The stranger struggled .with. Captain Curtis, but soon ■eft with another sailor.

Although on duty, they sentry followed, demanding, a drink. He, soo-n returned and wanted to fight some civilians who had been • attracted by the noise. Captain Ouiitis grappled with the sentry and temporarily obtained possession of the rifle. The sentTy immediately removed his tunic and belt and attacked Captain GuntLs. Together the two fell and the Struggle continued. There was then. a. rush for the rifle.. The sentry got it. Captain Curtis again attacked,. but could not get tlie weapon. . Then Mr. Robinson rushed to. help Captain Curtis, but was thrown off. Tlhe sentry,/ still in possession of the rifle, threatened to snioot anyone who approached. At last a, naval guard aria ved on the scene, but the sentry still struggled. Mr. Robinson again attacked him and this time received injuries to the groin. By this time the sentry was stripped' to, the waist. ■Persuasive methods were then tried li nisucioassfully by another of the Gover-nor-General’si staff.

The sentry, still free, maintained bis threatening attitude until the arrival of Constable Nix, of North Sydney, when he calmed down and said lie would go quietly. For a moment he remained quiet, but lie then .attacked Nix and threw him 1 to the ground. Nix, however, finally overpowered him. The sentry wa.s arrested and taken to Garden Island in' naval custody.