NEW ZEALAND SOLDIER STABBED.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1919, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIER STABBED.

A WOMAN IN THE CASE. London, June 10. As a result of Police Court proceedings at Chcrtsey, James William Ryan, a' recently demobilised soldier, now lies in gaol, committed to take hie trial at the Surrey Assizes on the cliarge of attempting to murder Private Algernon Worger, of the (Hugo Regiment, by stabbing him at the Oatlands Park Military Hospital, Weybridge, on June 7. Worgor, be it said, though very considerably cut about., had only one dangerous wound, and, thanks to prompt treatment, he is making a most satisfactory recovery. The motive for the crime waß revenge. Ryan believed that, taking advantage of his absence from liome on military service, \\ orger had been carrying on an intrigue with Mrs. Ryan.. Whether Ryan's suspicions were well founded or the reverse is a matter upon which no definite opinion can at present be expressed. At (he J'ldice Court proceedings on Tuesday, when Ryan was brought up on remand, Inspector Galloway told the Court that late at night on June 7, in company with Major Bruce, of the New Zealand Forces, he went to Ryan's home at Maple Cottages, Waverlcy Road, Weybridge, and saw him there, Ryan accompanied him to the police station, where he was charged with wounding Private Worger. In reply, he said: "How is the man? He stole my wife from my four babies. He knows where she is; I don't. I don't know what I have done." Ryan seemed very distressed, and cried. Major Bruce told him the man was not likely to die. Worger, who has only one leg, gave evidence, and said that at 10 p.m. on the 7th he was sitting up in his bed in the hospital when Ryan came in and said: "Albert, where is my wife?" He replied: "I don't know." Ryan then stabbed him five times with a small table knife, ajid immediately rushed out of the ward.

In cross-examination, Worger said he had lodged with Ryan 'for a month. He had not arranged to meet Mrs. Eyan in London, but ahe wrote to tell him where she was, and he went there and met her. He had no intention of taking her to New Zealand. Kthel Karl, lodging at Ryan's house, said that about half past nine on June 7 Ryan showed her a knife, and said: "I m going to do the -7 in with this," but lie did not mention any names. He had made many other threats against, his wife and children since his return. About 0.30 on the same evening she met Ryan, and he said: "I have done it." She asked: "What have you done?" and he replied: "I have killed Albert Worger. T stabbed him five times." He --added: "Good-bye; hike care of my children." Cross-examined, witness said Ryan was very calm, and she took him to supper. YSorger had visited the house pretty of (en, and sometimes stopped the night, Medical evidence as to Worger's wounds and present satisfactory condition having been given, Ryan was committed for trial, bail being refused.