ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2431, 29 November 1892, Page 3

ATTEMPTED MURDER.

What was apparently a deliberate attempt at murder occurred at Wellington about 4.30 on Saturday morning, the victim being Mr J. L. Kirkbride, proprietor of the Evening Press, who was savagely attacked by a strange man while lying in bed. The instrument used was a small ordinary carpenter’s hammer, and with this his assailant struck Mr Kirkbride a heavy blow on the forehead above the eye, smashing the frontal bone. The hammer was left on the verandah. Curiously the blow did not stun him, and he jumped from bed and rushed at his assailant, following him outside the house as far as the gate, but when he had nearly caught him he almost swooned, and the man got clear away. Mr Kirkbride says that he does not think he would be able to identify the man as he had his face blackened. He appeared, however, to be a young man. It is believed that the house was not entered for the sake of plunder, as a thorough examination shows nothing has been touched. The key of one of the doors was placed under the mat for the servant, who did not sleep in the house, to gain entrance in the morning, and the man must have been aware of this as he got in by that door, Mr Kirkbride declares that the man aimed for his temple but missed his mark. The wound is severe but not dangerous. The housekeeper gave the alarm to the police. Mr Kirkbride did not actually lose consciousness, but when about to collar the man, he became dazed. He says he felt himself compelled to stand there inert, the blood pouring down his face, while the fellow made his escape. The latter did not attempt to get away immediately, but stopped crouching under the fence till ho saw Mr Kirkbride was powerless, when he walked off.