ENCOUNTER IN HOUSE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 22 June 1933, Page 2

ENCOUNTER IN HOUSE

FARMER SEIZED BY THROAT.

DESPERATE NIGHT STRUGGLE. OPOOTKI, June 20. A report has been received from tlie Waiotalii settlement, oil the OpotikiWhakatane highway, to the effect that Mr Eddie Fryer, fanner and contractor, had a terrific encounter during the week-end with a .swagsman, who, it is alleged, was crazed by drink. All- Fryer had just retired to bed about 10 o’clock, when he heard his dogs barking loudly. Soon after that there were loud crashes on the back door, which was. smasned in. Air Fryer got out of bed and put on his clothes. In the meantime someone could be heard 1 in the kitchen. All- Fryer states that he was walking along the passage to put the light on in the kitchen when he was suddenly seized by the throat by a man. A terrific struggle then took place, both men rolling about on the floor and finally tumbling into the kitchen. A bottle containing methylated spirits was broken and tlie contents went over the men. Mrs Fryer, it is stated, then managed to put on the lights and her husband called to her to telephone for the police. Aleanwhile the men struggled furiously, the intruder, who was a big, powerful man, screaming at the top of his voice. Finally the householder got tlie upper hand and managed to get the man outside, telling him to clear off. ; All- Fryer and his wife then retired to bed. Later tlie dogs commenced barking and Air Fryer again went outside. He says that the intruder rushed at him and seized him by the legs, throwing him down in the mud. The men fought furiously while Mrs Fryer called to neighbours for help, but they did not hear her. Eventually her husband got on top of tlie man and 1 seized him by the throat. After getting him quietened down he led him to the gate and the unwelcome visitor went off down tlie road. Shortly afterwards the police arrived, hut tlieir search for the man proved fruitless. In the morning a pair of discarded boots were found, having apparently been thrown at the dogs. It is stated that about midday a man was picked up by a passing lorry and taken to Rotorua, near Rotorua. He was without boots. Apart from injuries to liis eyes, Mr Fryer is little the worse for his encounter.