ATTACKED WITH A RAZOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 10

ATTACKED WITH A RAZOR.

GIRL SERIOUSLY WOUNDED . FATHER UNDER ARREST. CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, STATEMENT BY INJURED CHILD. •

•HER CONDITION CRITICAL.

Stjkfertno from severe wounds, a little girl ■about 12 years old, was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon and in a doposition takon by a magistrate, she declared that her injuries bad been caused with a razor by her father, a timber worker named William Tynan. The police had already arrested Tynan on a. charge of attempting to murder his daughter, ..At her bedside he replied to the charge with the declaration: "I believe I did." Tynan is 57 years old and states that he has recently been employed on , tho North Auckland main trunk railway construction works. According to the story told: by the girl herself, and by several spectators, Tynan met his daughter Evelyn at about 3.15 p.m. in Beresford Street, as she was walking towards Pitt Street from the Beresford Street school. A few minutes afterwards several children ran' to the corner of Karangahape Road, and; finding there Constables Neale and Millar excitedly urged, them to nasten to the corner of Day Street They found : the girl lying 'in the gateway of a house, with blood flowing from a terrible wound in her neck. On the other side of the street, Tynan was lying on the ground surrounded by a number of men. The child was immediately taken to tho hospital in a cab by Const&ble Neale. v .:;-•' j

Held to the Footpath. ' The struggle on the street attracted the attention of Mr. William Wesley, who resides in a house on the corner of Day and Beresford Strete. Mr. Wesley was at j the time standing at his garden gate. He ] states that tho girl was evidently coming from school with a companion, for she had a school hag slung over her shoulder. Mr. Wesley did not see from what direction sho came, but he noticed a man struggle .with her on the Opposite earner to which his house stands. According to Mr. Wesley, the man drew a razor, knocked the girl down, and slashed at her. Immediately, Mr. Wesley rushed across the narrow street, seized the man,"and caught, hold of .the handle of the razor. With the assistance of others Mr. Wesley i held the man till he was arrested by the police and identified as, William Tynan. Mr.| Wesley slates that when he took hold of the razor Tynan offered no resistance", but;; calmly . surrendered the weapon, and asked Mr. Wesley to turn upon him -and cut his throat. For a few minutes Mr. Wesley held him to the pavement by kneeling on him. ; Then a number of firemen from lihe- Central Fire Station appeared on the scene, and police assistance: was" also forthcoming. Before the arrived a labourer attracted by the disturbance struck Tynan on the face.

Girl's Serious Wounds. The condition of the girl was found by the hospital staff to be serious. ■'. Wounds sin in length,and penetrating to the bone were found on both sides of her neck, and her left arm was found to be deeply cut above the elbow. In view of thb grave nature of ihcse injuries, Mr. E. Page, S.M., .was summoned to liake a- statement from her, in the presence of her father. Inspector rath,;'Chief-Detective McMahon, and"/ Dr. Magnire (medical superintendent of the hospital) were' also present. ' ' ' , • ■

: ' Tynan was, then charged by Inspectoi* McQrath with; having willfully' attempted to murder his daughter, | Evelyn, by cutting, her throat with a raisor, to which the accused replied :•" I Relieve I did." -

The .Girl's Deposition.

The'girl was able to, understand and answer questions addressed to her by } Inspector JiMcGrath,.;; and ; she made the following statement:— j ;'.-' "My name is Evelyn Tynan, and I live with my "mother.. When I.came out of school this afternoon I went up Beresford Street; with another girl named Violet Drewitt, who, I .think, lives in Hobson Street. , . .

-,-"When "wegot up to; Day. Street, I ■suddenly '.someone hit me. I did not see'who it was, but, I.think he was swearing loudly, though I don't, know. , I saw my father,- and he had a razor. He was cutting my head, off with it. ' "When my arm and throat were paining I ran up to a /lady.': She , lives in the hooise on ■ the corner of Day Street. The next thing I .remember I was in a cab, That is my father", (indicating accused). ■ „ Questioned by Accused.-

Tynan was then permitted to question his daughter. ). "Why did you not speak to mo when I wag down last week?" he asked. L , ■ "I did speak.to you," was the reply. , ';.-'"Why did you. not giro me « kiss today, and why did ; you call v me a drunkard '■ '■ ' '

The girl said she did not call him a ■ drunkard and she.; did not kiss him be", cause she smelt liquor en him. ; Further questioned 'accused, the : said that her mother ■; was. living in North Street, and she herself was living -with her. '. ';'.'■.." Is it not true that you and Robbie (a young brother) have recently been staying away from your mother with a .friend in North Street?" -

"Yes," was the reply, ■';■ On the application of Inspector McGrath Tynan was then remanded for a week. Before leaving hor bedside Tynan shook hinds with his child. .-. '..

It is stated that earlier in the day Tynan attempted to assault his wife. They had been in 'attendance"at the Magistrate's Court in connection with a civil action/which was settled without a hearing .by the Court. He was prevented from molesting the woman by the interference of a shopkeeper. At an early hour this morning the condition of Evelyn Tynun was stated to have shown no improvement) and she was in a very low state.