A PALMERSTON SENSATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9028, 16 December 1907, Page 2

A PALMERSTON SENSATION.

1 „ CONSTABLE CONNOR" STABJiED. An affair whk-h created a goof deal ol excitement occurred in Pa? morston North on Saturday afte* noon. • j

Constable Connor, of tho 'oc*. Police Force, found it necessary tc put a scoj) to the disorderly conduct of a man named William Waugh who is alleged to have been drinking heavily. Waugli, an old man, resisted, and in the struggle that ensued Constable Connor was stabbed in tho abdomen with a knife that was in Waugh's hand at tho time. Constable Connor behaved pluckily and in spito of his wound succeeded, with the assistance of a bystander, in getting Waugh into a cab and the latter was at once driven to the Police Station. Connor was taken into Mr Gower's establishment and Dr. Putnam was quickly on the scene, and with the assistance of Dr. Wilson, who arrived shortly | afterwards, attended to the wound which was found to be a serious one.

Connor was removed to the Hospital in tho ambulance, and he is progressing satisfactorily. Waugh is a well known farmer residing at Stoney Creek, and one of tho oldest settlers in the district. Opinions are varied as to whether the stabbing occurred accidentally through Waugli having an open knife in his hand at the time, and no definite information in this re- | spect can bo obtained at present. The knife used was the kind usually used for pruning purposes and it-is suppuoed that Waugh was using it for cutting tobacco. Constable Connor, wlto is a married man, is a very popular officer and great sympathy was expressed for him throughout the town on Saturday evening, which was accentuated by the exaggerated reports as to his condition which wore circulated. STATEMENT OF AN EYE-WIT NESS.

Mr H. M. Haycock, of the Foxton rope- and twine works, who was early on tho scene, gives the following version of tho affair. He was walking along the street and saw the constable go to arrest Waugh who was inclined to be disorderly. The constable caught hold of Waugli and they both fell across the gutter. Waugh had a knife in his hand and Mr Haycock went up to he could render any assistance. Connor, who had his knee on tho man's chest and was holding him down with one arm, asked him if ho would help him to get the knife out of Waugh's hand. After a considerable struggle the knife was secured and when they had got tho man into a cab, Connor said "I'm stabbed badly, my inside is cut out, will you take him round to the Police Station?" Haycock accordingly drove round to the station and on arrival Waugh walked into tho station quietly. Tho constablo in tho meantime had been taken to the hospital. Mr Haycock did not. see Waugh stab Connor. He thought the wound must have been indicted while they were struggling together. Tho knife had a ver\ r sharp point. Mr Hacock speaks very warmly of the pluck displayed by Constable Connor in sticking to his duty after ho had been badly wounded. Dr. Putnam, asked lastevoniug by a representative of this paper as to tho naturo of the injury, said that Connor was suffering from a perforated wound in the abdomen, and although it was a very serious case ho was progressing so satisfactorily that here was every hope of his ultimate recovery.

Press Association. Palmerston North, December 16. At the S.M. Court W. Waugh was charged with wounding Constable Connor with inteiit to do grievous bodily harm, and was remanded until Monday. Bail was opposed by the police, but was granted, accused for £2OO and sureties for £2OO, and was forthcoming. Connor is progressing satisfactorily at the hospital, but will not/be out of danger for the next 24 hours.