BLOW ON HEAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 8

BLOW ON HEAD

FARMER ATTACKED BY STRANGER ‘ MAN WITH HAMMER POLICE MAKE ARREST [ Per Press Association.] HASTINGS, Feb. 6. Struck down from behind by a.i unseen assailant, William George Corbin, of Otamauri, was admitted to the Royston Hospital, Hastings, lo- .• night suffering from lacerations anu | a fratcured skull. His condition is serious. Corbin, who is a single man aged 36, and is engaged in farming in the Otamauri district, about 28 miles from Hastings on the Taihape Koaa was yesterday morning preparing hi* breakfast at about 9 o’clock when he received a terrific blow on the head from behind. He collapsed to the fljor and on regaining consciousness found standing over him a well-built man holding a hammer. “Say nothing about this," Corbin was told, "or you'll get it again."

Despite his terrible injuries Coibin grappled with the attacker and eventually managed to escape. He made his way to a neighbours house about a mile distant, and though suffering intensely from pain and shock himself summoned the police and gave a description of the intruder. It was not long before the police were on the scene and aided oy nearby settlers and shepherds ar. (intensive search of the country in the vicinity of Corbin's house was made throughout the afternoon. The manhunt continued though the searchers were hampered by the heavy rain and a violent thunderstorm. The hunted man was eventuallycaptured in the early evening on a farm near Whana Whana, a few miles from the scene of the attack. At a late hour last night the police i party returned bringing the arrested 'man with them.