CLERGYMAN ASSAULTED.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1921, Page 12

CLERGYMAN ASSAULTED.

BITTER SECTARIAN FEELING. POLICE DRAW REVOLVERS, Sydney, July 19. An instance of the bitter sectarian feeling in this country is afforded by the assault made last week upon the Rev. W. T. Touchell, a Church of England clergyman, who is at present touring the Riverina districts forming branches of the Protestant Federation. Mr. Touchell'is a well-known figure in Sydney. He was once a priest, but he broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, became a clergyman in another faith, and has since been prominently associated with the Protestant Federation, and is a vigofous critic of Roman Catholic activities. He was conspicuous in the Sister Liguori case, the escaped nun having remained for some time at his house under the protection of Mrs. Touchell. Trouble first developed at Coolamon. A large section of the audience was hostile, persistently interrupted the speaker, and sang “Ireland for Ever.” Finally Mr. Touchell appealed for the police, and the noisiest ones were forcibly ejected. Next night, in the neighboring townlehip of Marrar, the preacher had no sboner commenced his address in the Baptist Church than his previous acquaintances from Coolamon arrived in five motor cars, ready for any kind of trouble. Certain militants from Marrar joined heartily with the newcomers, and the parson’s meeting was soon a Bed- i lam. The ex-priest is a willing fighter, and warm words were soon passing; Then one of the Coolamon brigade, who was apparently drunk, suddenly rushed up to the stage and struck the clergyman a violent blow on the face, and knocked him down insensible. The constable present also, sprang on to the stage, drew his revolver, and ordered the advancing “toughs” to .got back. They howled and shrieked, but would not face the revolver. Another constable appeared, and, while the clergyman was receiving attention, they drove the hooligans out of the hall. Mr. Touchell tried to resume his address, but stones began to crash on to the roof and through the windows. The police then asked Mr. Touchell to close his meeting. He was taken from the church under police protection, and the toughs made a demonstration as he was motored away.

The clergyman suffered somewhat severely from shock and from a severe cut under the ear. His assailants are being prosecuted by the police.