Police feared what lay in wait for them at a Milton shearers' quarters after reports of a possible homicide sparked an armed police response.
Three armed police officers rushed to the Arthur St address about 1am yesterday after multiple reports of a homicide and two other stab victims, Clutha Taieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie said.
Those reports turned out to be false, but police found two men assaulted at the scene.
Back up from Balclutha and Mosgiel and a Dunedin dog team had been requested earlier, and an ambulance was placed on standby.
Armed offenders squad members were not called for because of the urgency of the situation.
''We just didn't know what was going on,'' Snr Sgt Dickie said.
The two men had minor injuries as a result of the attack.
The pair received cuts and bruises after two men allegedly attacked them with a piece of wood and a baseball bat, he said.
The hostility of the situation grew throughout the night as the alleged attackers made several earlier visits to the quarters with knives and a baseball bat.
''It started with a disturbance at the White Horse Inn [in Milton] over a domestic situation,'' Snr Sgt Dickie said.
''Things got a bit niggly ... there was a bit going on.''
A number of windows were smashed at the shearers' quarters and a vehicle at the property was damaged.
The alleged attackers fled before police arrived, but police arrested a 31 year old Milton man at another Milton address soon after the incident, Snr Sgt Dickie said.
Those involved were known to each other.
A second Milton man, the 29 year old brother of the man arrested, was also sought over the incident.
He contacted police yesterday afternoon and was arrested and charged with threatening to kill and assault.
The 31 year old was charged with assault with a blunt instrument and threatening to kill. Further charges could be laid, Snr Sgt Dickie said.
Both men were held in custody last night and are due to appear in the Dunedin District Court today.
