TAKAPUNA MYSTERY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 161, 24 June 1935, Page 8

TAKAPUNA MYSTERY

ASSAULT ON MR. PENNY Discoverer of a New Force POLICE DECLINE TO SPEAK By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 23. The greatest secrecy is being maintained by the Auckland police in connection with the assault last Wednesday night on Mr Victor Penny, aged 35, married, at the North Shore Transport Company's depot at Takapuna. There is a policeman on duty in the room Mr Penny occupies at the Auckland Hospital, and another is stationed outside his home in Takapuna. Senior officers refuse to discuss any aspect of the case, which, it is understood, is being directed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr W. G. Wohlinann, from Wellington. . Several Auckland residents connected with Mr Penny in various experiments he has conducted in radio and other electrical work have heard allegations of a mysterious force said to have been discovered by him in the course of his researches. Nobody can be found, however, who has ever seen the force exhibited, although rumours as to its effects are numerous.

It is known that Mr Penny has been actively interested in wireless for about 15 years, and that like the majority- of amateurs, he has carried out experiments. He has made microphones and covered certain features by patents, and has also interested himself in beam wireless and television.

As far as can be ascertained nothing was stolen from Mr Penny when he was assaulted, although it is understood he often carried papers relating to- his radio work.

He is suffering from concussion, and his condition to-day is not serious and is improving. Mr Penny was employed as chauffeur to Colonel W. D. Holgate, chairman of directors of the Devonport Steam f erry Company until January last, when he was given a position at the bus depot. Colonel Holgate said he was convinced that the assault on Mr Penny was not connected with any attempt to rob tho bus company. “I know that Mr Penny was a good man at his job, for on the night of the opening of the Friendly Road station, when something went wrong, they sent for Mr Penny to remedy the trouble,” said the Colonel. ‘‘l well remember the incident, for I was with the Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates at the time. I remarked to Air Coates, who was speaking at the opening ceremony, that he could not go on the air until my chaffeur had made the necessary adjustments. I also know of Air Penny’s invention, a condenser and microphone, which was used with great success at Carlaw Park last December on the occasion of the open-air celebrations in connection with the anniversary of the Friendly Hoad station. It was also used successfully in the Town Hall the same night, and at Ellerslie racecourse when the Duke of Gloucester paid a visit there.” Mr Penny’s wife has n lady friend staying with her. "I do not know why the police arc guarding our house,” she said. ‘‘l did not request protection, although I feel grateful for it now. 1 saw a man outside and I asked him if he was a policeman. He said be was. I asked him what he was there for, and he replied that he did not know.” Cries and groans were heard from the yard ot the Takapuna bus depot late on Wednesday night, and neighbours found Air Victor Penny, night attendant at the depot, in a state of collapse. He was removed to hospital. It appeared that ho had neen assaulted in some manner, but the motive was unknown. When found, he was mumbling, “The papers—my papers," and also something about a sawn-off shotgun. Mr Penny is a radio experimenter, and it is stated that he recently completed the invention of a device ot •ome importance.