"DICK" ARNST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 11 January 1912, Page 8

"DICK" ARNST.

HOW THE ASSAULT HAPPENED

It will bo heard with regret throughout Australia says the Sydney ‘‘Sun” A' January 3) that .Dick Arnst, the popular sculling champion, lies in a .Manly private hospital almost dene ■O death at the hands, it is alleged, if some drunken brawlers until whom no had remonstrated in t' o cause of decency and good conduct. A rust had neon enjoying the ouiet delights of ■Manly life for the last month or so, and as an enthusiastic wirier ho has been a prmm lent and ,veil-known figure in the breakers and on the beach. For the last week he was missing from his accustomed haunts, and people were pondering on all sides where he had got ty. as he patronised the surf three or four times a day.

On Christmas night, or, lather, in the early hours of Boxing morning, Arnst was asleep at his uoarcliiig'ionse on the Ocean Beach, at North Sty no, when he was awakened hy some men kicking up a row and u .ing; bad language on the footpath directly in I rent of the house. Arnst got out of bed, md hastily dressing, went out to icaioustrate with the intruders. Instead of taking Ids advice, they stinted to abuse him, wrenched the ga'.e elf its hinges, and became more riotous. A further request from the chamuion to desist brought upon him a sud km attack from three of the men. 'the nig athlete put up a willing light against his assailants, and he had almost disposed of two of them whop it is declared the fourth man, who had not up to then taken part in the one-sided bottle, tore a picket from too garden fence, and stealing up behind Arnst, dealt him a couple of blows on the head.

Arnst foil, and lay ou the ground unconscious till some people along and took him to the surgery of Dr. Harold Bennetts, who conveu'd the injured man in Ids ear to St. Anban’s private hospital, and attended to Ids wounds, winch wore found xo be dangerous.