WANGANUI SENSATION.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 17 May 1920, Page 3

WANGANUI SENSATION.

THE MAYOR ARRESTED. CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER. Wanganui, May 16. A mysterious affair occurred on Saturday afternoon. A young man named Darcy Cresswell, aged 24, who belongs to Tiinaru, and who arrived' in Wanganui on a visit a few days ago, was conversing for some time with Mr C. E. Alackny, solicitor, at the latter’s office. Subsequently a chair was thrown through the, window and shots were heard. Cresswell wa's taken lo the hospital with a bullet in his breast, and Alackny later on was brought before justices of the peace and remanded till AFonday, on a charge of attempted murder. Cresswell is making satisfactory progress. Air Mackay entertained Cresswell and a friend at dinner at a local hold on Tuesday evening. As the accused is the Alayor of the town the incident has caused a sensation.

BAIL REFUSED. ACCUSED SAYS SHOOTING WAS ACCIDENTAL. Later. Mr Mackay’s office is upstairs in Ridgway Street, just opposite the public library. About 1 p.m. passers-by wore startled to hear sounds of loud voices apparently engaged in an altercation and furniture being thrown about. A chair came flying through a window on to the road, there was a shot, or shots, and there was a loud cry for help. Constable D. Wilson, who was in the vicinity, at once went to investigate the matter. He found Cresswell sitting at the bottom of the stairs in a state of collapse, and with blood flowing from a wound iu bis right breast. An ambulance was summoned and the wcuudetl mau was taken to the hospital. The Mayor was soon afterwards arrested and brought before Messrs D. AlcFarlane and J. 1’- Richardson, J’s.P., on a charge of attempted murder. The proceedings were brief. The accused man win, palpably, was suffering from severe nervous strain, pleaded not guilty, and Air W. H. Treadwell, ■who appeared for him, applied tor bail. Inspector Hendry said in view of the gravity of the charge lie must oppose the application. Bail was ret used, and Alackny will appear before the Court on Monday.

It is understood that the accused says he was attacked by Crcsswcll with a chair. He pulled out tho revolver to intimidate his assailant, and the weapon went oft by accident, i lie recolvcr had contained only two cartridges.

Enquiries at the hospital show that Cresswell is progressing favourably, and that unless complications ensue there is an excellent chance of his recovers. Mrs Maekay is absent in Christchurch.