MYSTERY CREEK SENSATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 319, 19 February 1910, Page 5

MYSTERY CREEK SENSATION

SHOOTING AT RANK OM l( [Af.S,

AIVI'SEI) COMMITTED I'oit TRIAL,

fly Tolegrapli.---rrc.s-> As-wi.'Uion,

Hamilton, l.at-t Night.

•lohn Minton I'aull, who was arretted in connection with the shooting case at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton, on thu Hth inst., when Messrs. Ward and •lonian, hank officials, were fired at while conveying money from Hamilton to ()hanpo i appeared on remand thw morning on a charge of attempted murder. The proceedings lasted all day, and closed this evening. Thirty witnesses were examined.

Leslie .Jordan, who was shot on the occasion, gave formal evidence.

I Other witnesses deposed variously \» seeing a man alleged to be accused in the vicinity of the creek with a gun, since traced to have been previously in his possession. I'aull, when arrested, in a statement denied having been at the Creek or having any knowledge of the occurrence. The evidence showed that he told the stableman when he hired the horse on Tuesday morning that he was going to Te Itapa, and that the gun lie wag then carrying was to be mended there. Evidence also showed that he was seen in a totally opposite direction to Te Papa. Towards the close of the ease a somewhat sensational statement was put m, in which accused alleged he was coerced by certain Maoris, and practically had to take a hand in the affair under pain of death. He stated he met the Maoris, or? «# their object was to waylay the bank officials, and that if he did not assist on Tuesday he would be a dead man. This was some days previous to the Bth. Paul! alleged he did not fire the shot which struck Jordan, but that a Maori, who afterwards went away, did. The police evidence, however, shows that all endeavors to find the Maoris implicated had been fruitless. The evidence of several witnesses goes to show that no Maoris or others were about at the time Paul] was seen. The evidence of the doctor states that between eighty and ninety shots struck Jordan, some of which are still embedded. He is suffering from facial paralysis. Mr. McDiarmid, on behalf of accused, said no plea would be entered at this stage. Detective Marsack said it was necessary citner to enter a pita of guilty or not guilty. Mr. McDiarmfil still contended that he need enter no plea, and, this being accepted, accused was committed for trial at the Hamilton Supreme Court sittings on the 28th inst.