THE ASSAULT ON "DICK" ARNST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 4

THE ASSAULT ON "DICK" ARNST.

HOW IT HAPPENED. It will l)e heard with regret throughout Australia (says the Sydney "Sun" of'Janary 3) that Dick Arnst, the popular sculling champion, lies in a Manly private hospital almost done to death at tho hands, it is alleged, of somo drunken brawlers witli whom he had remonstrated in the cause of decency and good conduct.

Arnst had bc-en enjoying the quiet delights of Manly, life for tlio last month or so, and as nu enthusiastic surfer he has been a prominent nnd well-known figure in tho breakers nnd on the beach. For the last week ho was missing from his accustomed haunts, and people were wondering on all sides where, he had got to, as ho patronised the surf three or four times a day. On Christinas night, or, rather, in tho early hours of Boxing morning, Arnst was asleep at his boarding-houso on tho Ocean Beach, at North Steyne, when he was awakened by some men kicking up a row and using bad language on the footpath directly in front of tho house. Arnst got out of bed, and hastily dressing, went out to remonstrate with tho intruders. Instead of taking his advice, they started tu abuse him. wrenched the gate off its hinges, and became more riotous. A further request from the champion to desist brought upon him a sudden attack from three of the men. The big athlcto put up a willing fight, against his assailants, and he had pretty well disposed of two of them when it is declared tho fourth num. who had not up to then taken part in tho one-sided battle, tore a picket from tho garden fence, and stealing up. behind Arnst, dealt him a couple of blows on tho head.

Anist fell, and lay on tho ground unconscious till some people came along, and took him to ' the surgery of Dr. Iliuold Bennetts, wlio conveyed tlio injured man in his car to St. Anbnn's private hospital, and attended to his wounds, which wore found tu lie dangerous.