A SAVAGE ATTACK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22985, 14 September 1936, Page 6

A SAVAGE ATTACK

INTRUDER IN COLLEGE MATRON SUFFERS INJURIES GRAVE ASSAULT ATTEMPTED (Per United p ress Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 13. . The police are searching for a man who forced his way into Elgin House at St. Cuthbert’s College, Epsom, early last evening, struggled violently with the matron, Miss Mary Price, and attempted to commit a grave assault upon her, as the result of which she had to be taken to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital She was badly bruised and cut about the face and stitches had to be inserted ip her mouth and forehead. Several constables and detectives conducted a man hunt until 2 o’clock this morning, and right through today the search was continued. The story told by Miss Price to the police is that after visiting another part of the college she returned to Elgin House and went upstairs to her quarters about 7 o’clock to prepare for bed. She was about to get undressed when she heard a knock at the front door downstairs. She left her room and when she reached the lower floor she switched on the outside light. The hall was in darkness and when she opened the door she saw a man standing close to it and apparently he was only partly clothed. Miss Price said she sensed from the man’s attitude there was something wrong, and she attempted to close the door, but he thrust a foot forward and forced his way into the hall. Once there he hit her in the face and savagely attacked her. They struggled there for some minutes until at length Miss Price managed to free herself and climb the stairs. Her assailant followed and again attempted to assault her. striking her repeatedly about the face and body. He suddenly desisted and hurriedly made his escape downstairs and out through the open doorway. Miss Price communicated with someone in another part of the college, and Dr Borrie, who was-sum-moned, ordered her into hospital. Constables from Newmarket searched the locality in which the college is situated and detectives from the central station began their investigations. No arrest has so far been made. Miss Price was recently appointed to the position of matron at St. Cuthbert’s College, and she went into residence on Friday night.