"OFF HIS HEAD."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 206, 20 January 1913, Page 6

"OFF HIS HEAD."

CHINAMAN AND A WOMAN*. I DESPERATE ENCOUNTER. THE POLICE CALLED IN. Auckland, January 15. Something of a sensation was created in an eating-house in Queen street, above Wellesley street, known as "Waratah," about 1 'o'clock to-day. as an outcome of which the proprietor, a Chinaman named Tommy Kwai, was arrested. The'story, as given to a Star representative after the affair by a young woman on whose life an attempt is alleged to have been made, is that Kwai was in the kitchen, when he suddenly became enraged over some trilling thing she had done, lie attempted to strike her, but the woman, whose name is Mrs. Daughney. is particularly well built, and she had no trouble in holding her own with the infuriated Chinaman. After wrestling with her he retreated, and then approached her again and kicked her on the hip. Another struggle tcok place, and a kitchen hand named j "Arthur" pulled the angry proprietor back.

It was then thought that he had been soothed down a little, though it is alleged that lie was mumbling threats to go upstairs and get a revolver with which to shoot the girl. Then the girl states he suddenly seized a long butcher's knife and sprang at her. Fortunately she saw him coming, and pluckily closed with him, a blow intend- j ed for her passing right over her shoulder. Shouting "I'll kill you," and cursing shrilly, the Chinaman is alleged to have again attempted to strike. Mrs. Daughney, as stated, is a vigorous young woman, and she threw her assailant back against the door. "It takes a good deal to frighten me," she told the reporter, "but I was scared , this time. He was simply raving mad, and as I pushed him back against, the door I jumped away and rushed along j the passageway of the dining-room for the street. When I was about half-way across the room I heard somebody cry 'Look out!' and heard the swish of a / big knife which had been hurled at me. I Fortunately it missed, but it nearlF I struck one of the other girls, and there I was soon a hubbub for the police." I After the incident Kwai locked the ] door of the dining-room and then ran i upstairs and locked himself in his own room. He was then arrested by Constable Ryan, and at once taken to police station, where he was charged with assault and intent to do grievous bodily harm. I Kwai's wile stated that her husband ] had been worried and upst mentally for ; some time past, and that he was off his J head when the incident happened this J afternoon. I - ■= I