PETROL STATION ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21809, 25 May 1934, Page 8

PETROL STATION ATTACK

ATTENDANT STRUCK IN FACE CYCLIST WITHOUT MONEY [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] HASTINGS, Thursday Another attack on a petrol station attendant has taken place, the victim on this occasion being Mr. Jack S. Gillies, of Hastings, who is suffering severe injuries to the face, inflicted by an unknown motor-cyclist, who had refused to pay for benzine after it had been put in the tank of his machine. Early in the evening Mr. Gillies was on duty at a Hastings petrol Station, when a motor-cyclist rode in and asked for a gallon of benzine. This was put into the machine, but when payment was • asked for the man said he was going on to Napier and had no money to pay for the petrol. Mr. Gillies did not argue the point, but at once got a benzine "gun" and suction pipe and without further words proceeded to take back the benzine which had been supplied. As he was doing so, however, the man kicked the tin from his hands, and as Mr. Gillies was bending down to recover the tin the man struck him with, his fist on the face. Before Mr. Gillies had time to recover, the man had made off.

Soon afterwards Mr. Gillies' face commenced to swell to an alarming extent and he had to receive medical attention. He is confined to his home, but is now progressing satisfactorily. Mr. Gillies was unable to secure the number of the motor-cycle, but an accurate description of tho man was available and this has been widely circulated.