BRUTAL ASSAULT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1928, Page 1

BRUTAL ASSAULT

ON TENNIS PLAYERS. 'By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Dee. 27. A brutal assault by four men in a motor ear upon two visitors to Auckland near the entrance to Ellerslie racecourse in the early hours of this morning, was responsible tor the de-j fault of A. W. ‘Smithson, of Canterbury, in the men’s singles ol the N.Z. Liuvn Tennis Championship meeting to-day. He was one of the victims of assault, and is suffering from shock and bruises. K. Mulsh, of Hamilton, received a bad cut on the head, and is also suffering from shock. Smithson and Walsh were walking homo when a motor pulled up near them. The car contained four men, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor. One man asked the visitors to jumo in and have a drink. I he} refused! however. Thereupon the men in the ear jumped out and began to attack them.' Smithson and AYnish managed to get free and ran through th- entrance to the racecourse toward the house of A. C. Hill, racecourse manager. Walsh was apparently over taken, and was struck by one of the assailants. When falling he struck his head on the kerbjng. At this stage the assailants evidently realised they had gone too far. as they made off. The visitors managed to reach Hill s house, and Hill rendered first aid. Later the victims of the assault were able to proceed home.