REEFTON OUTRAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1931, Page 3

REEFTON OUTRAGE

OLD MAN ATTACKED. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) REEFTON, March 5. A dastardly assault took place on an old resident, Mr Dan Neenon, last night. It appears that Mr Neenan, who is a man upwards of 60 years ot age, and is living in a cottage by himself in Lower Broadway, retired to bed shortly after nine o’clock. In response to a knock, lie opened the floor, thinking it came from some of bis acquaintances, who were in tile habit oi calling in to see him at night. As soon as the door was opened he saw a man standing in the doorway, and Neenan reached towards the mantelpiece to get a match. As lie turned, he received a blow on the head that knocked him to his knees and then another that took the skin off the left side of the head. Then he was given a smashing blow across the lace. Neenan struggled to his feet, and made a terrific lunge at the intruder. He was fortunate in hitting him in the throat and knocking him out of the door, and the assailant then decamped, leaving by the back gate, and dropping the stick, which was about two feet long and as thick as a man’s arm.

Mr Neenan at once sang out to his neighbours for assistance, hut by the time they arrived there was no trace of the perpetrator of the dastardly attack. The last blow Mr Neenan received fractured the jawbone and nose, as well as giving him a terrible blackened eye. The other blows on tile bead were also severe, as is evidenced by big lumps being raised.

Air Neenan wa s taken to the doctor and his injuries were attended to. The police were informed of the affray, and this morning arrested a man in connection with the affair.

The assaulted man, Mr Dan Neenan. is a well-known miner, and be is a most reserved and inoffensive resident. It can only be assumed that robbery was the motive of the assault, which wa«j a most determined one.,