SENSATIONAL AFFAIR AT POKENO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 129, 7 January 1916, Page 2

SENSATIONAL AFFAIR AT POKENO.

Railway Official Attacked.

In Middle of Night.

Visions ot a German raid or at least ot an attempt to wreck a Mam Trunk train aught well have been conjured up by Mr William Pye, a clerk at the Pokeno railway station, by tbe thrilling incident in which he played a leading part in the early hours ot this (Friday) morning. With the approach to i J okeno station, about half-an-fcour after midnight, ot a goods train south-hound from Auckland, Mr Pye left the railway office and with a lamp in one band and the tablet in the other proceeded along tbe platform for the purpose of setting, tbe tablet operator in position. Suddenly a man sprang out ot the darkness and dealt him tome violent blows. Mr Pye struggled with his assailant, and the pair fell to the ground, rolling over and over in the bid for mastery, Mr Pye in the meantime calling out tor assistance. Fortunately another railway employee, named Mr Heartneady, was on the station and he came to the rescue, with the result that the attacking individual was secured and rendered helpless to cause further trouble. He was placed on board the train and being taken to Mercer in charge of the guard and a travelling porter he was safely hdged in the yolice B'ation there.

At the Mercer police station he gave his name as that of Edward Joy, and bis age as 27 years. He added that he had walked from Wellington and had been followed by a certain well-known professor ot hypnotism, who would not let him sleep. He went on to say that whilst hiding on Pokeno platfcrm be saw "the Professor" approaching him (Mr I've being mistaken for the Professor) and thought it a good opportunity for him to "settle" him, so he acted accordingly. The man, who presents a very u'ikempt appearance and whose face is adorned with a tawny beard and side whiskers, has been conveyed to Auckland tc-Jay tor th; purposes of medical examination as to bis sanity. Uther than his delusion as to "the Professor'' tracking him down he, howevc*. speaks quite rationally. He has famished further information that, a sailor by occupation, he anived in New Zealand about three years «ro, and had until rec:ntly been engagid in the Wellinaton uistrict as a farm hand. It appears that he was seen h the vicinity cf Pokeno station yesterday afternoon, and in fact be had been recognised as a person who "cadged" tea at the titationmaster'a residence last evening. Ha states that h2 is not acquainted with "tha Professor," but nevertheless frequently has lengthy and mysterious conventions with the nvisble exponent of