AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 79, 3 April 1911, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN ITEMS.

MAX TtXEB AT ■TEP-DAUOKTEB,

.Woolloomooloo was the scene of an exciting incident on Tuesday morning last. A man fired a revolver at bis stepdaughter, who had a narrow escape from being killed, and a plucky girl nearly met with her death in an endeavour to save Jxer mother. Charles Hildebrandt, aged 56, bricklayer's labourer, resided with his stepdaughter, Mrs. Clara Kirwan, and her two daughters, Eileen McKay, aged 17, and Alice McKay, aged 14. According to reports furnished to the police, an altercation occurred between Hildebrandt and his stepdaughter, and the manured a revolver at her. The bullet missed. He fired a second shot, .but this, like the (first, was harmless, though it passed close to the girl's head. Presently a third shot was fired, scorching Alice McKay's drees, and wounding Mre. Kirwan in the ankle. The girl then ran off, fetched the man's eecond revolver, and pointed it at him, but it was empty. He opened the door and ran into the street, where he was arrested by Constable Blyth, of Darlinghurst Station, who had heard the firing from Crown-etreet. Mrs. Kirwan was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital, and Hildebrant to the police station. The revolver had six chambers, three of which had recently been discharged, while a fourth cartridge was dented as if it bad missed fire. Hildebrandt was charged at the Water Court with shooting at Clara Kirwan and Eileen McKay, intent to murder. Sergeant Drew outlined the ease for the prosecution, and said that the altercation wae alleged to have arisen out of Hildebrandt'a taking exception to the visits of certain people to the house. When accused was told by the police that bis step-daughter was shot in the ankle, he said, "It is a pity it was not in the head."

Mr. J. W. Abigail, who .appeared for accused, applied for a remand. Sergeant Drew said the police had no objection, and a remand was granted until April 6.