FARMER ATTACKED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1939, Page 6

FARMER ATTACKED

SUSPECTED MAN ARRESTED BY POLICE. FOLLOWING ON EXTENDED HUNT. r ßy Telegraph—Press Association.) HASTINGS, February f. A large party of Napier and Hastings police, under Detective-Sergeant H. Nuttall this afternoon and tonight combed the Otamauri district, along the Hastings-Taihape Road, for a man wanted on a charge of assaulting Mr William George Corbin, who is in a private hospital in Hastings with severe concussion. He underwent an operation this afternoon, but his condition tonight is still serious. Late tonight Ihe police party arrested a man in the Whana Whana district.

At about 8.30 o’clock this morning Mr Corbin, who is a single man and a farmer, went to a neighbour's home to use the telephone. He returned to his home at about. 9.30 a.m., entered the front door and opened the windows in the front rooms, and vzas going toward the kitchen when he was felled by a severe blow on the head, delivered from behind.

Though Mr Corbin was felled by the force of the blow he did not lose consciousness. He said he saw a man standing over him with a hammer. He grappled with his assailant, and during a severe struggle on the floor he received another heavy blow on one of his elbows.

Mr Corbin eventually broke free and dashed into the kitchen, locking the door behind him. A few minutes later he left by the back door to summon help from a neighbour, but he had not gone far before he discovered that his assailant was following hirn. When Mr Corbin was within call of assistance, however, his pursuer gave up the chase and disappeared.

LABOURER IN COURT. REMANDED UNTIL MONDAY. NAPIER, This Day. Following on the police hunt yesterday. Thomas George Flanigan, a labourer, aged 25. of no fixed abode, was charged this morning that, with intent. Io maim, he did grievous bodily harm to William George Corbin. On the application of the police, accused was remanded until Monday. The condition of Mr Corbin is reported today to be easier.