THE AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 46, 17 January 1913, Page 3

THE AUCKLAND SENSATION.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER MISS -RYAN ReKe THE COURT. AUCKLAND. Jan. 15. At the Police-Court to-day Kathleen Somerville Ryan, 25 years of-age. was charged with attempting to murder Win. James Colwell, dentist, by shooting at him with a revolver. Chief Detective MoMahon stated that the accused was in Colwell's employ from December, 1907, to July, 1908. Some time after she left she telephoned to him and arranged to meet him at his rooms in Wellesley street East, stating that she would like to see him. After that lie met her occasionally at his rooms and they became very friendly. These relations continued till about five months ago, when Colwell stated that the girl became a nuisance to him in her demands for money and continually followed him about and accosted him. He told her that the friendship must cease. Shortly before Christmas he, by mutual agreement, paid to her mother in the presence of solicitors the sum of £8 10s and the girl signed a document that alio would refrain from interfering with him in the future. She beoame more attentive to Colwell than ever two days later. On Thursday last when lie was going to his rooms in Smeeton's buildings, Queen street, she met him on the landing of the first floor. She said. "Will you meet me to-night?" He replied that he wished to have nothing more to do with her. She tried to see him two or three times during the morning. About 11.30 a.m. ho received a message from his nurse that the accused would like to see him when he was disengaged. He met her at the waiting-room door and she said she wanted him to meet her that night. He replied that lip had already said lie didn't wish to have anything more to do with her. A few minutes later he received a message that Miss Somerville (the name by which accused was known) wanted an answer "Yes" or "No" from him to her request. He told the nurse tu nay "No." Immediately after that lie saw accused coming towards him and he went to his office, where she followed him and closed the door. She was very excited and said: "We'll soon settle it now!" She produced a revolver, saying "Will you meet me? Yes or no?" He said, "Don't be silly. Put it away." She cooled down and put the revolver inside her coat. He left the office, but returned and found her standing there. He told her if she didn't leave the premises he would wnd for the police. She became excited again and she walked towards his office chair. She must then have closed and locked the door. Colwell sat down and tried to persuade her to leave and she again became excited and refused. He got up and walked towards the door, saying that he would send for the police and was about to open the door when he felt something fly past his face and beard a report. He looked round and saw the <'irl about two yards away from h ; ni with the revolver in her hand and smoke in the room. The accused left the office by the side door and was arrested upstairs. William James Colwell, complainant, gave evidence at groat length, which in the main was a repetition of the chief detective's narrative. Cross-examined by Mr Grundy, witness said he had been in practice at Auckland about 11 years. He was not j narticularly friendly with accused when she was working with him ; it was about nine months after she left that she did become friendly. She left his employ because she did not get on well with the assistant. The money he had given her over a period of about two years amounted probably to £SO or £6O. The biggest amount he had ever given her was £5 shortly before the holidays. Cross-examined in regard to the shooting incident, witness denied that he had locked the door of the room himself. He concluded the the girl had done it, because it was locked when he tried to get out. He admitted having promised to help her with money to start a business of her own, being forced to do so to keep her quiet. He had never kept nie promise. On one of their meetings she- l:.u: nsked him hysterically to narc friends, and wanted him tokiss her. This wts alter the signing of the document. It had never been arranged that it should lapse between them. He denied that on one occasion when ho had arranged to meet her at home at eight o'clock . he arrived there a little 'elore 10 in i drunken state. He did not recollect anything particularly boccuse Iw saw, he; so frequently at home but he de- i nied having ever gone th?.*e the worse.' for liquor, though he might have usel j ha([ language to the girl or her mothcwhen he was excited. He hid no recollection of having asked her if fiie had been out with another man. He denied having ever struck the girl or tier mother. i Mr Grundy applied for bail. The magistrate decided to commit her | to the Salvation Army Home. She was bound over in her own bond of £lO and that of the adjutant of the Home in the same amo\int, not in any way to attempt to see Colwell and not to leave the Home unless accompanied by an i officer, and the adjutant was given I authority to revoke her bond at any t'me.