THROWN ON HOT STOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21906, 15 September 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

THROWN ON HOT STOVE

POLICEMAN'S ORDEAL SEVERE BURNS SUSTAINED ARREST AT REVOLVER POINT In a sensational clash with a Greek, following interrogation for alleged jaywalking recently. Sergeant Parr, a well-known traffic officer, was attacked with a chair and lifted bodily on to an almost red-hot fuel range in a Sydney restaurant. A man was later arrested at revolver point, after a thrilling chase. Subsequently Sergeant Parr was taken to Sydney Hospital and received medical attention which probably will be continued for a few weeks. Sergeant Parr was on traffic duty in Pitt Street shortly after noon, and he spoke to a young Greek concerning diagonal walking across the roadway. According to the official police report the man, when asked for his name and address, would not wait, but the sergeant followed him across the road and to a restaurant. The Greek is alleged to have walked through the restaurant, with Sergeant Parr following, into the kitchen. In the kitchen, according to tho report, a Greek, wearing a white waiter's coat, picked up a chair and rushed at the sergeant, who jumped on him and overpowered him. Three other men were in the kitchen, but they made no attempt to interfere, it is stated. In a wild outburst of fury, the Greek rushed Sergeant Parr, picked him up bodily, and threw him on to the top of the range. There had been a fire in the range since early morning, the top being al-

most red-hot. Sergeant Parr screamed with pain and half his uniform trousers were burned off. As he jumped from the stove his right hand rested on the hot surface and was burned almost to tho bone. He displayed amazing pluck for even then he made a dive at the man as the latter allegedly reached to tho table for a meat knife with a keen, 12-inch long blade. After a struggle, which lasted nearly 10 minutes, the Greek, who was young and athletic, again broke free and again attempted to get the knife, which was lying on the floor. Tho sergeant managed to overpower him, but by this time his terrible burns and wounds were beginning to take toll of his strength, and the man got away. Sergeant Parr struggled to his feet when he saw his quarry running through a doorway leading to a lane and limped out of tho restaurant and along tho lane in time to see a man running in the direction of the labyrinth of buildings between George and Pitt Streets.

Sergeant Parr called upon him to stop, and it is alleged that when he refused to do so, the sergeant drew his revolver and shouted: "Stand still—if you don't I'll fire." the man obeyed the command, and Sergeant Parr immediately handcuffed him and using a telephone of a near bv office rang George Street North police station and secured assistance.