A BRUTAL ASSAULT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 15

A BRUTAL ASSAULT.

FARMER'S WIFE ATTACIvED.

ASHBURTON, November 23. A serious assault i 3 reported to have occurred at Winslow about six miles from Asbburton, yesterday, when a fanner's wife of that place was tho victim of what appears to have been a most brutal attack by en unknown lunn. From particulars to hand, it seems that tho victim of the assault was engaged in picking rhubarb in her vegetable garden yesterday afternoon at 2.«i0 o'clock, when a man approached her and enquired for work. Sho replied that her husband had no work, having just engaged ft man. Tho stranger, who had driven up to the place in a new gig, attached to which was a chestnut horse, then asked for food. The farmer's wife said that she could provide him with food, and went into tho house to get. some. Sho was followed in by tho man, who is said to have then told her: "It's not fowl I want, but you,", and thereupon attempted to assault her: The woman managed to tell her litfclo girl to go and call her father. The girl went' outside and returned shortly after. The mother then exclaimed: '"Here he comes!" This ruse had the desired effect, the man bocoming frightened. He rushed outside, f.nil made for tho gig, which he had left tied at tho gate., While the struggle was proceeding, a traction engine, in charge of two men, came along tho road: The horso became frightened. One of tho men on tho engine untothered the animal, and took it inside tho gate, whilo tho traction engine passed. As tho engine \vas passing, the man who had attempted thti assault rushed from the house, nnd hurriedly approached the trap. He was handed - tho reins,- and jumped in tho- vehicle, and drove quickly away. ' .. ' • Tho husband of the woman, who had. l>een engaged somo" distance from-the house, was sent for, and ai'ter ascertaining" what had happened, drovo to Ashburton for the police, one of whom immediately proceeded to the scene of the attempted assault. The men on the traction engines wore interviewed, but could give no particulars as,to tho identity of the other man, and did not know Anything of the assault. ,/- Tho woman's clothes were literally torn from her body, and she was much . bruised about the throat, And she is suffering considerably from shock.