SHARP FRACAS

Southland Times, Issue 21263, 9 December 1930, Page 5

SHARP FRACAS

OLD MAN ASSAULTED POLICE SUMMONED TO FORESHORE VERSIONS OF ENCOUNTER The railway yard, in the vicinity of lower Spey street, was last night the scene of an attack which gave every indication of developing into a desperate encounter when, it is stated, without the slightest warning, an elderly man, an official in the municipal gas works, was assaulted by two youths who, with two girls, happened to be in tho locality. About eight o’clock the police were summoned by telephone to the spot and Constables Drake, Ellen, Kitchin and Brydon. hastened by motor car to Spey street only to discover that the asasilants had decamped towards the rubbish tip on the foreshore. A description of the party was given to tho police by employees of the Texaco Oil Company, who had come into the fracas in its closing stages, and the constables divided forces in an endeavour, by scouring the immediate vicinity, to locate their quarry Constables Drake and Kitchin made for the foreshore close to the Drill Hall and commenced to work their way along the river in the direction of lower Spey street with the purpose of heading off the party if, pursued by Constables Ellen and Brydon,.they should attempt to work their way northwards.. Dusk was rapidly gathering, but Constables Ellen and Brydon came across the four down on the foreshore where they were later joined by the two constables. Statements were taken by the police, but no arrest was made at the time, though it is understood that tho youths reside locally. When interviewed by a Times reporter, the man assaulted gave a full account, of the attack made upon him. “It has been my habit, on warm nights to take a short stroll when I have finished my ‘scran’ ” he said. “I had lit my pipe and walked over to the Texaco Oil ground where I remained for a couple of minutes watching two employees mowing the lawn. I then slowly cauntered through the railway yard at the back of the foreshore piles, where I hap. pened to notice a fair headed youth lying on the grass with a girl. I did not speak or call out to them at all and, in fact, must have only been there a second or so. Before I realized anything—for it all happened in the twinkle of an eye—l was upended from behind by the youth’s mate, who was evidently decidedly annoyed at my unexpected appearance. 1 was thoroughly thunderstruck as I had no warning of the attack—it was absolutely unprovoked, f fell to the ground, but managed to regain my feet, only to be attacked by the fair young man I had first noticed. He grabbed my left arm, which he twisted behind me, while his mate—a tall fellow—again came upon me from the rear. The pain from the arm was excruciating and I could sec the position was becoming uglier. I was desperate at this stage, and as my tall assailant bore down upon me, I managed to grab his shirt and singlet and pulled them right over his head. At the same time, I thrust out my right leg and floored him. Blows were being aimed at me and I realized that the odds were against me. As the position began to look seriomt, I decided to make a dash towards the gasworks. The tall youth was particularly infuriated and, with his mate, chased after me. He made a tackle at my legs and we both fell to the ground. I was cut about the forehead and grazed my arm, and while I was down the taller girl of the two swiped at me and hit me on the head with her handbag. Fortunately, I burst away again and managed to evade my now thoroughly aroused attackers. Four of five Texaco men were standing nearby, so 1 was then safe, and one rang for the police. He informed the party that the police had been sent for and they made off at once for the rubbish tip. I can tell you 1 had a bad scare and I am indeed lucky to get out of it all as well as I have done. Why on earth they rushed upon me 1 cannot, for the life of me, understand.”

The reporter also epoke to the youths and their friends, who gave their version of the circumstances which led to the trouble. “He was ‘foxing’ us. that's why I attacked him,” explained the taller youth, with which allegation his friends expressed agreement. “Look here,” he said, as he pulled up his singlet, “I was badly knocked about, too.” Certainly there was a large abrasion on the lower side of his body, this, no doubt, having been caused when, bereft of all clothing from the waist upwards, he fell to the ground when collaring the unfortunate man assaulted.