A BOGUS CALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 230, 27 March 1912, Page 5

A BOGUS CALL.

DOCTOR SANDBAGGED. CARLTON GORE ROAD ASSAULT CASE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 25. Additional particulars of the sandbagging case in the city show that on Friday afternoon Mrs. Moir, wife of Dr, Moir, received a message by telephone requesting the doctor to call at a house in Carlton Gore road. The person giving the message left instructions that the doctor was not to come round until 10 o'clock in the evening, as the patient was coming from the country, and would not arrive until that hour. Taking a tram shortly before 10 o'clock, the doctor arrived in time to keep his appointment. He had to walk some distance to reach the place indicated in the message, but there was no house at the particular spot mentioned 1 . Dr. Moir was walking in the centre of the footpath, when, glancing over the road, he saw a man emerge from behind a tree or bush. After proceeding some yards further along the footpath the doctor heard footsteps behind him; he looked round arid saw a man coming along. This caused him no uneasiness, but then the man caught up with Dr. Moir, who moved to the side of the footpath to allow the other to pass. Suddenly the man swerved towards the doctor, who instinctively turned his head slightly towards the man. Then a crushing blow was administered, and the doctor fell to the ground unconscious. A little after 11 p.m. a young man was going home from the city along the Carlton Gore road, when he stumbled over the doctor, who had been left lying unconscious on the foopath. The young man on taking a few letters out of the doctor's pocket discovered the hatter's identity, and informed Mr. Murray, who lives near by. They took the doctor into Mr. Murray's house, and medical attendance was obtained.

Later, Dr. Moir was removed to his house in Symonds street, where he sub sequently regained consciousness. He is still confined to his bed, although it is anticipated he will be about again in a couple of daj's, his injuries not being regarded as serious. It seems quite certain the doctor was struck with a sandbag, for there was no outward mark of a blow. Investigations also indicate that the telephone message must have been bogus. The object of the assault is a mystery. The doctor, who never carries valuables about at night, had only 2s Od in his pocket. The half-crown was missing, but the doctor's watch, a cheap one which he always carried with him at night, was not taken from his vest pocket. The street in whieli the outrage occurred is very badly lighted, and gives some scope to those with evil intent. It was reported early on Friday evening that two young lady 'visitors, who were staying 'with friends in Carlton Gore road, were chased bj some man, and, after a. long rim. reached their friend's place in an exhausted and terrified state.