FADED ROMANCE

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 4 January 1929, Page 5

FADED ROMANCE

BEHIND WANGANUi ASSAULT

MRS WITHEY WILL RECOVER

‘Per Press Association—Copyright

WANGANUI, This Dav

The story of a faded romance lies behind the brutal- assault on Wednesday of Mrs D. Withey, a sweets-shop keeper of Wanganui! George Allen, who assaulted the woman and barricaded himself in the shop, finally committing suicide, was a labouring man, well known in Wanganui, and was 32 years of age. He assisted :rt various times at catering in a small way, and had business transactions with Mrs Withey in connection with the refreshment stalls on Spriggens Park and Cook’s Gardens sports grounds.

It was ascertained to-day that Allen, the victim of the tragedy, was an inmate of the Wanganui fiospital from October 9th to 17th, suffering from insomnia. Deceased left letters to the Coroner, his mother and the mother of Mrs Withey. It has been stated that he brooded deeply over recent Court proceedings. On October 4th he appeared on a charge of causing damage to the window of the shop. It was stated that he went to see Mrs Withey, with whom he had formerly been on friendly terms, but who terminated the engagement. She was out and Allen took up a piece of concrete and hurled it through the window. When the case was brought before the Court defendant said he had been drinking and was also worried over money matters. He was ordered to make restitution and placed on probation for two years. After this he had written several threatening letters to Mrs Withey. Allen was a returned soldier, and men associated with him during the war describe him as a fearless soldier, who entered light-heartedly into the spirit ot things and imbued- his mates with that feeling of confidence when danger threatened that did so much to inspire the New Zealand Division. He was particiiferly conspicuous in raiding parties.

Mrs Withey received a severe fracture-of the skull as a result of the assault, but she will recover.