CURIOUS ASSAULT CASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22267, 21 May 1934, Page 3

CURIOUS ASSAULT CASE

AFFAIR OF MISSING GIRL ATTEMPT TO FORCE INFORMATION As the result of having committed an assault on an old man named Thomas Sherlock, Mungo Hunter, of Wcstport, appeared before Mr IT. Morgan, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court last week and was convicted and fined £.'.', and costs, one month being allowed in which to pay. The charge was connected with the disappearance about a month ago of the defendant's 18-year-old daughter, who was subsequently found in a mining camp at Fairdown, after she had been missing for 11 days. Sergeant MTntyre said that the alleged assault was savage and brutal. Sherlock, a gold prospector, was returning to his whare after gathering wood, when Hunter, who had been concealed behind a flax bush, suddenly appeared and rushed at him, knocking him down with his fists. Hunter and his sous, who were also present, then tied his ankles and hands behind his back. Sherlock appealed to Hunter not to murder him. Hunter replied: "I will if you don't tell me where my girl is." Constable Matches, from Westpoit, then arrived on the scene and proceeded to release Sherlock, when, according to the complainant, Hunter rushed iu and attacked him again. The defendant, in answer to the charge, said he was a married man with 13 children, the eldest being aged 20 years. The second child was a girl just over 18 who had been keeping company with Sherlock's son. This went on for six weeks, during which time they tried to persuade the girl to give Sherlock up. Then one Saturday night she disappeared, and her employer informed the police. Sherlock's father said ho knew where the girl was but would not tell anyone. He (the defendant) then decided to go to Fairdown to seek the whereabouts of his daughter. He met the complainant at the camp and complainant swore at him. He then tripped Sherlock and tied his legs together and gave him a few cuts with a supplejack. Sherlock then volunteered to tell him where the girl was. He proceeded to a hut some distance away, and on entering saw his daughter inside. As soon as she saw him she ran to him,'saying, " Dad, take me away from here." The magistrate said that Hunter had no right to take the law into his own hands and brutally assault an old man to force information from him. Although he could understand that Hunter was suffering from great stress of mind such conduct could not be tolerated. A LURKING DANGER There is a lurking danger in the aching back. The aches and pains of the back tell of kidneys overworked. Go to the kidney's assistance when backache pains warn you. A kidney warning should be promptly heeded, for gravel and urinary troubles are only a step away. Read how the danger can be averted:— Mr R. Coulter, 20 Glasgow street, South Dunedin, says: " Some five years ago, when working as a butcher and slaughterman, I suffered terribly from an aching back. A friend advised me to take Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, *o I bought a bottle to try them. The result was marvellous. After using half, the bottle the pain was a good deal easier, and by the time I had finished it I was cured, the backache having entirely disappeared. My cure, I am pleased to say, has proved permanent; for 1 have been free of backache since I gave up taking Doan's Pills about five years ago." Some years later, Mr Coulter says: " T have not suffered with backache since Doan's Backache Kidney Pills cured me, but I always keep this medicine by me and take a few doses now and T again, and it keeps me in good health. No one need suffer from backache if they can get Doan's Pills." Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are sold bv all chemists and storekeepers. FosterM'Clellan Co., Proprietors, 15 Hamilton street, Sydney. But, be sure you get DOAN'S.—Advt.