Young Woman Twice Assaulted

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 7

Young Woman Twice Assaulted

STARTLING EXPERIENCE IN AUCKLAND DOMAIN

Per Press Association,

AUCKLAND, Jan. 10,

Twice assaulted by men within halt an hour wheu walking in the Domain in broad daylight on Saturday evening, a young woman, aged 25, suffered severe bruises ou her arms and face. About twelve months ago the young woman for health reasons came to Auckland and had been working iu the city. Since her stay iu Auckland was to end to-day she had packed up ready to leave by the express for the south this evening.

A few minutes before 5 o’clock ou Saturday evening she left her boaru-ing-kousc with the intention of takmg a picture of the War Memorial Museum. She was approaching the entrance to the Domain Drive from Stanley street when she was accosted by a young man, who remarked. "What about taking my photo»” The girl made no reply, but walked on. She had not proceeded far when she noticed a man in a brown suit following her, but after entering the drive ho disappeared into the bush. The girl walked on and had just tunica one of the many winding bends when two youths, considered by the girl to be under the influence of liquor, came down the drive. One caught her by the arm and threw her down the bank. She immediately got up, only to be struck a blow on the face and knocked down again. Her screams for help brought her no assistance. Tho youths cleared off and she pulled herself together and proceeded semi-cousciously up the drive. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and saw the man in a brown suit approaching from behind. She was agitated, and when lie asked her what was the matter she explained. He offered to escort her home, and they then started to walk up the drive, but they had only gone about 100 yards when he caught hold of her and threw her on a grass bank. She struggled and struck him with her camera, while he struck her blows ou the face, one blow in the eye causing much swelling. i’or the second time within half an hour the young woman cried out for assistance, but none came until after her assailant had made off. A few minutes later two women came down tho drive and Constable Collins arrived.

The girl’s description of her assailant in the second instance is that of a man about 28 years of age, wearing a light brown suit, with hat to match, and white sandshoes, and of slight build.