SAVAGE ATTACK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26348, 31 December 1946, Page 4

SAVAGE ATTACK

INTRUDER IN COTTAGE ESCAPE AFTER STRUGGLE In a lonely farmhouse on a back road six miles from Pahiatua, Mr Edward Arnold Palmer, a motor driver aged 35 years, was awakened shortly after 1 o’clock on Sunday morning, and was assaulted by an unknown man. \He was attacked with what is thought to have been part of a pick handle. Mr Palmer and his wife went to hed fairly early on Saturday night, and were awakened by the noise of someone opening the front door of their four-roomed cottage. Mr Palmer said he called out and, when he saw a torch flashed, he jumped out of bed. He then received a heavy blow on the head from a weapon which the stranger held in his hand, and which was attached to his wrist by a length of string. The two men fell together on the floor, where the assailant struck Mr Palmer several more blows on the head. They rolled out into the kitchen, where Mrs Palmer seized a table lamp, which she threw at the intruder. The struggle continued for about 10 minutes and when Mr Palmer was, nearly exhausted the intruder left the house and disappeared along the road. Accompanied by his wife, Mr Palmer drove his truck to Pahiatua, where .he was treated by a doctor for head injuries. , ■ - .... Mr and Mrs Palmer have lived in the cottage for about two months since their arrival from Pahiatua. They were married early this year. Mr Palmer said he did not know of any motive for the assault, and the intruder, of whom he and his wife caught brief glimpses, was unknown to them.