VICTIM OF ASSAULT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1923, Page 4

VICTIM OF ASSAULT

A Ti.MAKF ('ASF. TIM AIM'. Nov. A. In fjelwyn .Street, at about 11.-‘id o'clock on Saturday night, a mail named William Dm hie, an employee oi the I electric light department el the Timartt j liorough Council, was brutally ns-ault- } ed by several unknown assailants. A j rcporti r -aw Air Ditthio in hi- bed at his home 10-dav, and although the I -welling had gone down eon-iikuahly in ! the previous thirty hour-: ho was still -bowing unmistakable signs of tho severe handling he wit* subjected to. His head wn- swathed in bandages and his eyes were deep stink in swollen and blackened cheeks, on which, could ho seen the mark- of hoot heels. Mr Duthieks right ear wa- badly cut. while hi- lips were black and -woll, n. From him the reporter learned that a little over a week ago he commenced work on

night patrol, going round t-ho town putting on mid off the street lights. On Saturday night lie went on hits rounds as usual and had reached Sclwvn Street jit about 11.20 p.m. : when there was but but a single lamp alight in (lie town. This light is on a platform that holds a transformer in position and U about 10 feet from the ground. Having extinguished the light lie commenced to descend the ladder, anil when about half way to the ground he heard a rush of foot to tin' foot of the platform. In a twinkling the ladder was swept off its balance and Mr Out hie crashed with it to the ground. The suddenness of the attack bewildered him and lie lay on tiie ground half stunned,'while his assailants savagely kicked him on th" head and body, not even leaving the dotems. • less man'-, face free from the hoots o: the attackers. Having rendered him almost unconscious the men went tlnougn till his j) •i-kcl-, but all he had with him was ap n ket knife and the key-, of the lighting rexes. The knife was retained by cho men. The attack lasted hut a few minute-, tit. the end of which time the assailants, who on account of the darkness ;md the fact that none of them -poke a word during the attack wore not recognised, 101 l on bicycles. .Mr Thtlbie picked himself, up and •staggered home and there lie received medic,'..l at tention, while the Police were communicated with, Mr Duthie alleges that he had been previously warned of an attack eit him and that he lias a shrewd -’t-pi, ion ns to who the assailants were. It will l-e a day or -o ye! h, f..-1-e he is lit to l-e about again.