ATTACK WITH A KNIFE

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 51

ATTACK WITH A KNIFE

DESPERATE STRUGGLE IN CAR. HAMILTON, August 19. The taking of the life of Mr W. Dillicar is alleged to have been attempted and that of his female companion threatened in an exciting episode which occurred at Hamilton last night. Mr Dillicar called in a ear for a young woman, a nurse, to take her to a medical case, and when putting an umbrella in the back of the car, after entering it he accidentally struck a man who was crouching on the floor. On being discovered, the man leapt up and struck Mr Dillicar a heavy blow on the back of the neck. A severe struggle ensued, and the driver finally ejected the man from the car and started off. On arrival at their destination, they had scarcely pulled up when the man, who had evidently raced past them on a motor cycle, sprang out from a hedge and threw open the door and lunged fiercely at the driver with a knife. Fortunately, he missed with his blow. A desperate struggle took place, and Mr Dillicar, fighting off his assailant, stepped on the accelerator and sped away after the man had made repeated lunges with the knife. It is understood that the man had previously threatened the life of the young lady concerned, who broke off her engagement with him when she found that he was married, and has since been tho object of bis unwelcome attentions. FARM LABOURER ARRESTED. HAMILTON, August 20. The arrest has been effected to-day of Nathaniel Clark, a farm labourer, of Eureka, in connection with an assault with a knife on Mr W. Dillicar and a woman companion two nights ago. Accused was asked to ent into —reties ( to keep the peace, as the complainant was afraid that he intended to o him and the woman bodily harm. On tyt assurance being given to the contrary, no objection was raised to the release of tl a accused, and the case was adjourned till Wednes-