THE ASSAULT ON "DICK" ARNST.

Northern Advocate, 12 January 1912, Page 3

THE ASSAULT ON "DICK" ARNST.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It will be heard with regret throughout Australia (says the Sydney "Sun" of January 3) that Dick Arnst, the popular sculling champion, lies in a Manly private hospital almost done to death at the hands, it is alleged!, of some drunken brawlers with whom he had remonstrated in the cause of decency and good conduct. Arnst had been enjoying the quiet c'elights of Manly life for the last month or so, and as an enthusiastic surfer he has been a prominent and well-known figure in the breakers and on the beach. For the last week he was missing from his accustomel haunts, and people were wondering on all sides where he had got to, as he patronised the surf three or four times a day. On Christmas night, or, rather, in the early hours of Boxing morning, Arnst was asleep at his boardinghouse on the Ocean Beach, at North Steyne, when he was awakened by seme men kicking up a row and using tad language en the footpath directly i;i front of the house. Arnst got out o; bed, and hastily dressing, went out to remonstrate with the intruders. Instead of taking his advice, they started to abuse him, wrenched the gate off its hinges, and became more riotous. A further request from the champion to desist brought upon him a sudden attack from thre.-J of the men. The big athlete put up a willing fight against his assailants, and he had pretty well disposed of two of them when it is declared the fourth man, who had not up to then taken part in the one-sided battle, tore a picket from the gardten fence, and stealing up behind Arnst, dealt him a- couple of blows on the head. Arnst fell, and lay on the ground unconscious till some people came along, and took him to the surgery of Dr. Harold Bennetts, who conveyed the injured man in his car to St. Auban's private hospital, and attended to his wounds, which were found to be dangerous.