ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF DETECTIVE FARRELL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 16, 18 January 1873, Page 4

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF DETECTIVE FARRELL.

(From the Ootago Daily Times, January 6.)

Great excitement was caused throughout Dunedin late on Saturday night and yesterday by the news that Detective Farrell bad been fired at and wounded. It appears that between a quarter-past and half-past 11 on Saturday night, Detec-1 tive Farrell parted company with Special Constable Bain at the corner of Moray Place, and proceeded homewards. His '. house is one of three cottages in a yard j adjoining Brodrick's coal-yard. These ! cottages are situated to the rear of a fourth one, with willow trees in the front, that faces Moray Place.. While walking along the pavement on the side of Moray Place on which Matthews's garden is situated, he heard footsteps of a perßon coming (he thought) from the pasage alongside the Masonic Hall. Afterwards they were those of a person approaching him rapidly. Mr Farrell at the time carried a small bag, containing potatoes and some other purchases, in his hand. As he thought the. footsteps were those of one coming on tiptoe, he was apprehensive of receivings blow from behind, and accordingly grasped the"neddy " he carried, so that he could use it. The, spot was in keeping with tbe deadly assault attempted. Saturday night -was very dark, and we believe this was particularly dark/ Detective Farrell turned round just as the man was a couple of feet behind him. He saw the man, who, he is positive is ex-sergeanV Ryan, pointing a pistol at his head. The man fired, but fortunately missed him. ' In fact, he considers that it was through his so sharply turning round, and co putting his head out of the line of fire, that his brains were not then blown, out.. Farrell exr claimed, ''For God's sake, Ryan; don't kill me, I'm not prepared to die." Farrell ■' ;■'"* ' ■'.;• 'r y."' y ■',-.' " ■■■'.'

got a few feet away from his assailant, and being too far from him to hit him with the weighty stick which he carries, shied it at his face, but be thinks his pursuer shielded the blow from his face by his bands, which he had lifted up. Farrell, ou throwing the stick, turned and ran, shouting, "Ex-Sergeant Ryan wants, to murder me." His pursuer followed, and fired two more shots, each of which also j missed him. Farrell was afraid to run into bis own yard, thinking he would be followed in and shot, and made for a right-of-way near Claremont House, where tbe fourth shot — the one that caused tbe wound — was fired.- The bullet entered his back, striking ihe shoulder blade, ' worked its way to the front of the body, travelled across tbe breast, and then passed out. The bullet that wounded him has not been found. It was reported that one of the bullets had been picked up. Immediately after tbe shots were fired, several of the neighbors were out, and we believe that at least the latter end of tke firing was witnessed by a man and a bpy. Drs Hocken and Reimer promptly attended Mr. Farrell. The wound, though severe, we are glad to say is not dangerous. A neighbor of Mr j Farrell's heard the shots fired, and the I cries on his way borne. When passing ! along Moray Place, he saw or heard a man scrambling up the bank, and getting on the, footpath, between Messrs Park and Curie's workshop and a building standing on piles. He asked the man " What waa up V and the reply was to the effect — "I think someone is shot. I believe it is Farrell." The roan went in the direction of the Glasgow Arms. Ex-Sergt. Ryan, at least an hour after the occurrence, came to the European Hotel, where he was boarding. The words be used there were —it is reported — "I hear the police bave been enquiring for me, and would someone be kind enough to accompany me to the station?" Mr Keligher accordingly accompanied him towards the Maclaggan- j street Station — it was then 1.20 a.m. — they were met by Sub-Inspector Mallard Sergeant Fair, and Constable Bain,. Fearing that firearms might be used, Sergeant j Fair and Constable Bain at once pinioned Ryan, while the Sub-Inspector searched him. No fire-arms were found on him. Ryan, on the Sub-Inspector saying "I fear I shall have to detain you," answered that he was on his way to the station. He was cool and collected in the matter. At the station, on being charged with shooting with intent to kill, he remarked, " That is a pretty charge, certainly." He was then locked up, and on Sunday was removed, for safe custody, from the lock-up to the gaol. He is to be brought up at the Mayor's Court this morning. It is alleged that there is " motive " on his part. This is scarcely the place in which to state the motive assigned, which wili almost inevitably come out during the hearing of tbe charge. We have not ascertained what the nature of the defence is to be, but it " was generally said that he intends to prove an alibi.