THE MURDER OF A MAYOR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2626, 27 February 1894, Page 2

THE MURDER OF A MAYOR.

From particulars given in our Sydney liles of the tragedy at Burwood, seven miles from Sydney, on the 12th iust., when William Refern, the Couucil clerk, Bhot and fatally wounded the mayor (Mr William Paisley), and then blew out his own brains, it appears that owing to strained relations the council recently cauio to a decision to obtain a younger man in Redfern's place. He was 51 years of age, and had occupied his position for nine years. Redfern then resigned, and his resignation was to have taken effect on the 25th inst. The mayor went to the council chamber to prepare a report for the meeting of the of the new council to be held the same oveuing. Shortly after his outrance shots were heard, and thou the mayor rushed out and Btaggered down tho street. The door was then slammed, and two more shots were heard. On an entrance being effected Redfem was found sitting in a chair at a table, with a bullet wound through tho top of his head, and a revolver at his feet, just breathiug his last. He had had apparently placed tho revolver in his mouth aud pulled the triggw;, The bail tow it^

Way through his head, coming out at the top. In another small room adjoining that allotted to Redfern were found evidences of the terrible struggle which had taken place between the mayor and his assialant. The mayor after proceeding a little distance fell exhausted from loss of blood, and he was taken into Mr Archer's house. An examination showed that four bullets had taken effect in Mr Paisley's body, One had entered his Bkull behind the left ear, passed through the flesh, and made its exit on the other Bide. A second passed through the left elbow, smashing the bone. A third entered the back just above the seventh rib on the left side, and passed through the stomach. A fourth entered the back just below the shoulder blade and buried itself in the muscles. Mr Paisley's statement was to the effect that he was sitting in an armchair in the clerk's room writing a letter when Redfern came up behind him and fired two shots in succession into his back. He jumped up immediately and grappled with his would be murderer, and they struggled into an adjoining room, known as the storeroom, a very small place, and bere Redfern drew a small dagger or stiletto and made a cut at his head. Mr Paisley was wearing a small black hard felt hat at the time. There is a distinct mark of a partial cut about an inch and a-half in length on the hat. The stab, however, did not take effect, and it appears Redfern then fired two more shots at him, one taking effect in his arm and the other behind his ear, the lobe of which was partially cut away. The mayor then made a rush for the front door, which he managed to reach, closely followed by his assailant. Mr Paisley died on the following day. Redfern had, it appears, on several occasions told persons that he intended shooting some of the members, and exhibited three revolvers, intended, he said, to do away with Mr Paisley and Mr Jones. The inspector of nuisances had warned Mr Paisley, who had replied, "As long as I keep him in front of me I am not afraid, because I will watch him very closely, and immediately he raises his hand I will knock him down. I know he iB very cunning, but I think I am as sharp as he is." Considerable sensation was caused at the inquest on the body of Mr Paisley by the production of Redfern's note book, in which newspaper cuttings giving an account of the assassination of Mr Harrison, the mayor of Uhicago, across one of which was written in Redfern's handwriting "Turned out of good office by him. So die all tyrants." On another was written " Pailsey deserved it. W.R." In a memorandum book the following entry was found:—" However Monday night's work may finish, I mean to have Paisley first, because he has ruined me and all my belongings, and the sole cause is that I have done my duty in refusing him assistance and making him pay £6 15s for work he had done by the council. Paisley first, Hennessy second,Schools third, Archer fourth." (These are all councillors.) Redfern had on the previous day burnt all the records. He sent his wife to England three weeks before the tragedy. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while temporarily insane." The coroner pointed out that there was no evidence that the decased was insane, but the jury declined to alter the verdict, saying that it was apparent that the man was labouring under very great excitement.