RAID ON A CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 3 October 1907, Page 3

RAID ON A CHURCH.

Liquor in the Sacristy. Brutal Attack on a Policeman. A Publican Shot. Particulars are just to hand, by mail, of the sensational affray that occurred at Rydalmere (near Sydney) on Sunday, the 22nd ult., when Constable Howard was set upon by four men in the sacristy attached to the Roman Catholic Church, and was terribly battered about the head and body. He drew a revolver, which was taken from him, and in the scuffle it went off. A local publican, Thomas Millane, was shot in the region of the heart, and is in a very bad way Millane is in custody at his own home, and three other arrests have been made. THE POLICEMAN ENTERS. The church is situated next to Millane’s Hotel, and after morning service was locked up, as usual. Shortly after midday, Constable Howard appeared in the township, and entered the hotel. After searching the premises, it seems that he proceeded on down the road, and turned into the church grounds. He stood listening at the sacristy door for some time, and demanded admission, being under a suspicion as to people being there. A little later a door was flung open, and rough hands pulled the officer into the room. He made an attempt to reach at Mallane, but had no sooner proceeded to make an arrest, when the slight scuffle of a moment ago was turned into blows. Howard, who is a burly Irishman, pushed some of the men back, but they came at him again, and he was soon pulled to the floor, and was being kicked about the head and body.

Finding that he was no match for the crowd. Howard was compelled to draw his revolver. Instead of quieting his assailants, the firearm was the signal for further trouble. One man rushed him from behind, and in the melee the officer was again sent to the floor, and the weapon was wrested from him. BRUTAL TREATMENT. The struggle was still going on, when suddenly a report was heard, and the publican dropped to the floor, bleeding from a bullet wound in the region of the heart. The firearm had been discharged during the encounter. Even this did not stay the hands of the attackers, and they became still more brutal in their assault. Howard, although bruised and battered, continued to struggle with them all. He attempted to gain his feet, but was repeatedly sent down again. Blood was streaming from the wounds in his face, caused by the boots of the ruffians, but the sight of this did not stay the men from their attack on the now almost exhausted officer. He was kicked in the face again and again, and his right eye was hanging from the socket.

Eventually, after Howard had been kicked almost into a state of insensibility, the' men held off a little, and attended to the wounded publican. By this time the fight had shifted into the church, and blood was spattered over the altar. The officer staggered out into the open. A PLUCKY WOMAN TO THE RESCUE. Mrs Frank Bourke, who resides at the rear of the church, heard the commotion. When the men were out of the sacristy and were preparing to renew the assault, Mrs Burke gathered up some blue metal, and standing by the battered constable, pelted his assailants. Millane was carried to his premises, next door, and doctors and police summoned from Parramatta. Howard was driven to the Paramatta Hospital, and had nine stitches put in the wound over his eye. Howard’s statement is that he went to the door to listen for the drawing of corks, and while there he was suddenly confronted by Millane, who took hold of him, and a struggle began. Millane dragged him inside, and said to his companions, “ Come on, chaps, we’ll do for him,” One of the men then locked the door, and getting Howard on the floor, they began to kick him about the body. Thomas Millane, when examined by the doctors, was found to have a slight wound on the left breast, the bullet having struck a slanting blow, scarifying the flesh. He is suffering very greatly from the shock.

The police have arrested Thos. Millane, licensee of the Rydalmere Hotel; Michael Millane, brother of the licensee ; Michael Murph} 7 , caretaker of the church; and Geo. Workeman.