ASSAULT ON A "SPECIAL."

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14830, 22 November 1913, Page 11

ASSAULT ON A "SPECIAL."

Further details were available yesterday regarding the- cxjjjßrienoee "at Sockbtirn on Thursday 'evening of the "special" who rode all the - way from Ashburton "&»! town. It was still light, but about dusk; when he reached Soekburn. His horse, after its long journey, was prettywell done, and he was quietly walking it along the edge of the graae, when; unknown to him, three men on bicycles dismounted behind him. One of them rushed to the horse's head, whilst the other two eet upon him. The "special" was still in the saddlo, nnd tackled one of hie assailants and knocked him down with his fist. The other, however, took hold of one of his feet and pulled the rider to the ground. Whilst on. the ground he was kicked several times. Whilo this was proceeding, tho horse broke away, and began grazing thirty' or forty yards off, and when the cyclists cleared off, their victim B}*n* aged to craw! it with difficulty, Sβ he was much bruised about the body and Buffering from kicks in the groinHo managed to mount and reach camp, whoro the camp medical officer found him to bo very much bruiaed, and ordered him to the camp hospital. The "special" was able to bo -ibotit yesterday, and believes that he will bo able to identify his assailants.