BANK HOLD-UP CASE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1932, Page 13

BANK HOLD-UP CASE

REMARKABLE EVIDENCE

A FARMER'S STORY

ACCUSED TO STAND TRIAL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL,' sth February

Remarkable evidence was given by a relative of one of tho accused when the Edendale bank hold-up case was continued this afternoon. William Leonard, Brewer (24) and Maurice Patrick Duffey (27) arc charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. Prod George Swain, a relative of Duffey, detailed an alleged conversation after the hold-up. Swain, a farmer of Gorge road, said that Duffey had been in tho habit of coming to his place for over twelve months to cut wood.' Brewer had not been to witness 'a place before. He arrived late on the Monday night or early on the Tuesday morning. They remained there until they were arrested on the following Friday morning. They had two bottles of beer with them. They showed witness a couple of sandbaga which they had brought out with them. They were made of dark material, but he could not positively identify the one produced. They said they had come out with the intention of sticking up a bank. Witness told them they were damned fools. Nothing more was said. Later they told him that they had bceu ( down to stick up a bank. It appeared that they got in through a front window of tho house. They had masks on, and they opened the door and went into tho room where the bank manager and his wife were. They said that the manager was reading a book and his wife was sowing. Brewer apparently went in first, carrying the rifle. They said that the manager, Mr. Archibald, dropped his book when ho saw them. Mrs. Archibald rushed forward and grabbed the rifle. Duffey hit her with the sandbag and sho turned and ran outside, Brewer chasing her. She ran into the gate and fell over, and Brewer tried to gag her. Mr.. Archibald went outside. Duffey tried to wrench the leg off a chair, but it would not come off. ■■■■' He then, chased Archibald with the chair, Mr. Archibald making for a high fence. Duffey said that Mr. Archibald was . roaring like a mad bull. Brewer said "There's too much row; let's get to hell out of here." Continuing, .witness said that the rifle produced \vas very much like the one at his place, with a dint on the trigger guard. The rifle was in better order now than .-when he saw it last on the Wednesday night. The men brought back with them several tins of tobacco and half a loaf of bread. On the Thursday morning witness told Brewer he would havo to get away home. They told witness to hold his tongue about tho matter. The rifle that was in front of his hut was all rusty and weather beaten. Tho accused pleaded. not guilty and were committed for trial. Tho Court rose- at 10.45 p.m.