FARMER STRUCK DOWN

Southland Times, Issue 23736, 7 February 1939, Page 8

FARMER STRUCK DOWN

SERIOUS INJURIES INFLICTED man arrested after SEARCH (United Press Association) HASTINGS, February 6. Struck down from behind by an unseen assailant, William George Corbin, of Otamauri, was admitted to the Royston Hospital, Hastings, tonight, suffering from lacerations and a fractured skull. His condition is serious. Corbin, a single man, aged 36, engaged in farming in the Otamauri district, about 28 miles from Hastings, on the Taihape road, was yesterday morning preparing his breakfast about 9 o’clock when he received a terrific blow on the head from behind. He collapsed to the floor and on regaining consciousness found - standing over him a well-built man holding a hammer. “Say nothing about this,” Corbin was told, “or you’ll get it again.” Despite his injuries Corbin grappled with the attacker and eventually managed to escape. He made his way to a neighbour’s house, about a mile distant, and though suffering intensely from pain and shock, himself summoned the police and gave a description of the intruder. It was not long before .the police were on the scene and, aided by nearby settlers and shepherds, made an intensive search of the country near Corbin’s house throughout the afternoon. The man-hunt continued though the searchers were hampered by heavy rain and a violent thunderstorm. A man was eventually captured in the early evening on a farm near Whana Whana, a few miles from the scene of the attack. At a late hour last night the police party returned, bringing the arrested man with them. DEATH FROM INJURIES (United Press Association) OPOTIKI, February 5. Charles Smith, aged 35, a single man employed by Mr A. E. Reece as a truck driver, died in hospital from internal injuries suffered when his truck slid down a gully with a load of metal. He tried to jump out, but was caught and crushed beneath the cab. FARMER SUFFERS FATAL INJURIES 1 (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 7. Fatal injuries were suffered by Walter Wright, aged 67, a farmer of Springston, when he was opening the door of a granary on his farm. Wright was standing on an elevated platform on the building and had partly opened the sliding door, which became unfastened from the rollers. He was thrown to. the ground by the weight of the door and a bolt projecting from it entered his head. He was found by his son a few minutes afterwards.

He was taken to hospital, where he died this evening.

FALL FROM HORSE Kevin Cody, of Wendon, was admitted to the Gore Public Hospital for observation after having fallen from a horse. It is understood that he is not seriously injured. GIRL’S ARM FRACTURED Betty Watters, a daughter of Dr J. M. Watters and Mrs Watters, of Gore, was admitted to the Gore Public Hospital suffering from a fractured arm. The accident occurred when she slipped while playing. Her condition is satisfactory.