STRANGE AFFAIR

Southland Times, Issue 22106, 29 August 1933, Page 6

STRANGE AFFAIR

ALLEGED GANG FOUR f OUTHS CHARGED MASKED ASSAILANTS (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, August 28. An exciting affair is reported to have occurred in Rossmore Terrace, Cashmere, on Saturday night, when three masked youths waylaid a fourth youth and dragged him into a shed, where they roughly handled him. The parties are believed to have been friends but quarrelled subsequently. Two arrests have been made. A melodramatic touch was lent to the incident by the fact that the assailants wore hoods that masked their heads and faces and covered their shoulders, something after the style of the habiliments worn by the Ku Klux Klan. Broad sashes tied round the waists completed the costume. The ambush was carefully planned, the three youths waiting in the darkness in Rossmore Terrace and seizing their victim from behind. Before he could raise a finger to defend himself a sack was pulled roughly over his head and he was bundled along the road to a shed. Then the sack was removed and a scuffle ensued. _ The muzzle of a shotgun carried by one of the assailants was jabbed into his face during the fracas and caused a wound under one eye. Overpowered by the odds of three to one the victim was forced to submit. Some words were exchanged and then a heavy stick was brought down on the victim s skull. The captive youth dropped to the ground feigning unconsciousness and his assailants then made off. A few minutes later the police were informed. Four Youths Charged. A sequel to the Cashmere assault took place when four youths faced the Magistrate, Mr Mosley, this morning. Philip Percival Sharp, aged 17, was charged with the theft of’6/-, the property of Thomas Allan Crashaw; William Joseph Hallins, aged 18, and Stanley Thomas Allan Crawshaw, aged 1(, were jointly charged with assaulting Philip Percival Sharp and Norman Frederick Fletcher, aged 18, was charged with breaking and entering St. Marys Church at Merrivale on August 25 ana committing theft. All were remanded till September 5. The police said all were members of a clique about which there was a suggestion of the Kelly Gang or Ku Klux Klan. Sharp was assaulted for breaking the gang’s order. There were other charges pending of theft, breaking and entering, car conversion, and Sharp was also involved in them. After Sharp was bound and gagged his assailants, said the Chief Detective, stuck a pin into him to see if he were dead or not; then they made off.