HIMATANGI AFFAIR

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1933, Page 9

HIMATANGI AFFAIR

GAENEK CHAEGED

THE VICTIM'S STORY

WIFE GIVES EVIDENCE

(By Telegraph.— Press Association.) PALMEKS.TON N., This Day. As a sequel to tho early morning incident at the Himataugi store on July 1 Lindsay Edist Edward Garner (21), panclbeatcr, was charged before justices today that, with another person unknown he assaulted Christian Martiu Sorenson, storekeeper, with intent to rob him. Sorenson gave evidence that at 1.30 a.m. ho was disturbed by a knocking at the door. In answer to his inquiry as to who was there ho was told that petrol was wanted. He : dressed and found two men outside. He supplied two gallons of petrol. One of the men then asked for a light to sec to put oil into the car. Witness brought out a lighted caudle from the shop, holding it for the men. Suddenly he received a terrible blow on tho back of.the head The bigger man of tho two grabbed him under the arms, hold him, and wanted to gag him. Witness, continuing, said he tried to call out, but a hand was held over his mouth. Blood was running down his face. Ho heard someone say: "Give him another blow.". He was again struck and lost his senses until ho found himself stumbling back to1 the shop counter. Ho saw his wife in the doorway of her room. There were two men in the shop. One said: "Mrs. Sorenson, wo want some money." Asked for the till witness pointed it out, but it was empty. He heard one of the men say: "She's gone," and ho saw that his wife had left. The men then quickly got into • the car and drove away.

The accused, who conducted his own defence, examined the witness, who could not say whether the accused was one of tho men*Doctor 'Wyllie gave evidence that the blow must have been a severe one with some solid instrument.

Mrs. Sorenson gave evidence that when she heard her husband cry out she went into the shop and saw a man there who told her to go to bed. On. rushing to the telephone she found that it was gone.' Then she saw both men in the shop. She took the number of the car outside and entered it in the daybook. A few minutes later the accused came in,- picked up the book, looked at it, raised his hand threateningly, and demanded money. She said that she had none. The accused called to his companion to fetch a gun, but witness did not see it. Her husband then staggered in aud witness quietly slipped out. On July 26 witness identified the accused from among thirteen men as one of two who visited tho store. She had no doubt concerning tho identity of the accused, who was the taller of the two men.