NEIGHBOURS AT WAR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18896, 11 January 1927, Page 11

NEIGHBOURS AT WAR.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (rjisa issocutioh 'tslzgiui.) STRATFORD, January .10. Stanley Emerson Carlylo Taylor was charged this morning that on November 14th he attempted to murder James Farrelly at Tangarakau. Dr. Steven gave evidence that Farrelly could not be understood on admission to the hospital owing to a swelling of the tongue, which was lacerated. His lace was peppered with gunshot wounds, and the sight of the right eye was gone. Farrelly, called by the prosecution, refused to go into tne witness-box and to give evidence. The Magistrate told Farrelly ho need not answer questions liable to incriminate him.

lie refused to reply to tho detective when asked it! he had any other reason tor refusing to give evidence. Thomas McDonald said that Taylor asked for a gun as Farrelly was trying to tic him up. Davis came along with a gun, and Taylor chased Farrelly over the fence. When some distance away he heard a shot fired.

Daniel John Davis, a neighbour of the accused, said ho saw Farrelly crouched near a tree. Later, accused crept towards Taylor's trapshed, and returned to the tree. Taylor spoke to Farrelly, and afterwards said to Davis: "Bring that gun out, and I'll frighten the ."

Continuing his evidence, Davis said that when he gave tho gun to Taylor there were two cartridges in it. AVitncss saw McDonald, who said something should be done to get Farrelly shifted. Taylor said, "Farrelly is up in that fern over there. Watch while Igo across and give him a fright." Taylor went away, and witness later went over to within a few yards of him. Taylor was standing on a ridge with the gun in his hands, near where Farrelly was found. Witness did not hear any shot.

In' reply to' Detective Meikle'john, witness said his hearing was quite normal. Witness asked Taylor where Farrelly was. Taylor said, "He is lying there'; I've shot him." Witness had gone over to help Taylor to secure Farrelly and hand him over to the police for threatening behaviour. Taylor said, "I. was tiring over his head to frighten him, and I hit him in tho. face." Farrelly was taken to. Taylor's house, and the police were called in. At a later stage Farrelly was recalled, but again refused to give evidence. The Magistrate informed Farrelly that he could bo committed to gaol until he gave evidence, failing which he could be kept in gaol for ever. The Court was adjourned for a few minutes to allow Farrelly to consult his friends,, and on resumption ho' gave his evidence freely.

. In his evidence, Farrelly said he went to Taylor's place to get breakfast. They had words about the breakfast, which Taylor did not want, to give him. During the argument, witness picked up a. dog-chain, and Taylor ran away. When Taylor called for a gun, witness got away as quickly as possible. Witness was'lving on the hill when Taylor came up with the gun. Taylor said, "Cbmo out of it!" but .witness said, "Not as a prisoner." The next thing witness knew he was shot. A plea of not guilty was ente'ed, and the defence was reserved. 'Accused was committed for trial at the' next sitting of the Supreme Court at Now Plymouth.