BRUTAL ATTACK.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 7

BRUTAL ATTACK.

BURNT WITH AMMONIA

HOUSEMAID’S.TERRIFYING ORDEAL. MAN MAKES UTS ESCAPE. (Special Lo Times.) AUCKLAND, Saturday. Struggling desperately with a man who threw a cloth soaked with ammonia over her head, a girl screamed for help In the right-of-way near Albert Park last night, and was In a state of collapse when help came and her assailant made off. The victim was Miss Leah Baker, aged eighteen years, a domestic employed by Mr W. J. Ralph in Princess Street.

Miss Baker had been in the city, and about 10.30 p.m. walked up Bowen Avenue, and instead of going round lo the front entrance she decided lo go along the right-of-way at the rear of the Jewish synagogue and a number of private residences. ~ In that part of Princess Street it was dark, and when half-way up she saw a man bending down as if lying his bootlaces. Just as she/drew level the man sprang at her, and threw a cloth over her head. Miss Baker at once struggled and screamed loudly. Her piercing screams for help were heard all round the neighbourhood. The first to respond was a young woman who at the moment- was leaving the servants’ quarters at Mr Ralph’s house. She rustled into the lan e in see the struggling pair. Immediately the man dashed away and made his escape into Albert Park. She found Miss Baker with' her clothes lorn and moaning.

A message was.sent to the Auckland police headquarters and investigation of tlie lane was made by detectives and constables. They found a bottle near where Hie struggle Dad occurred containing ammonia.

Miss Baker was pul to bed and this morning when seen by an Auckland Star representative was still in a had way. Her lips and the sides of her face were painfully burned, but it is hoped she will not lie permanently disfigured. Stic could throw very lil-tlc additional light on the attack beyond saying it was so swift as to take her completely by surprise.