OAMARU AFFRAY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1940, Page 7

OAMARU AFFRAY

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS SHOT ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. (Per Press Association—Copyright) OAMARU, Dec. 10. "William Meehan, aged 42 years, an employee of the Waitaki Electric Power Board, appeared in custody before Mr H. W. Bundle, 5.M.,, at Oamaru Magistrate’s Court to-day. He was charged with attempting to murder Frederick Henry McAuley at Oamaru on October 13. Mr F. B. Adams (Crown Prosecutor of Dunedin), conducted the prosecution. Mr J. E. Farrell appeared for the accus ed. Evidence was given by Dr. E. E. Butler that, at 7.45 p.m. on October 13, he received a call and went to the Oddfellows’ Hall, Coquet Street, Oamaru, where he found McAuley lying on the floor with a wound in the right thigh. He was pale, and was shocked, and bleeding. Witness applied an improvised turniquet, and took McAuley to Oamaru Pubic Hospital. He described the nature of the wound, and the operation performed. A great deal of damage had been caused to the structure of the thigh, and Me \ulcy was given intravenous fluids and a blood transfusion. On leaving the theatre his condition was poor, and his life was in danger. McAuley subsequently received blood transfusions and other appropriate treatment, but on October 19th, the whole leg had become gangrenous, and it was necessary to perform disarticulation of the leg through the hip joint in order to sav McAuley’s life. Further blood transfusions were given and his condition improved. The wounds were consistent with a .303 rifle shot. Witness saw accused at the Police Station after the first operation, and told him McAuley was seriously hurt. The accused seemed to be surprised and he said that he did not mean anything like that to happen. He appeared sober, but excitable. W. I. C. Steensou, architect. Oamaru, produced a plan of the Oddfellows’ Hall, and Lionel Harry James, Government analyst, Dunedin produced a report on a chemical ex animation of an overcoat, two pieces of soiled flannelette, and a bayonet. Sergeant-Major 11. M. S. Bradbury deposed that accused was a member of the Oamaru National Reserve. The rifle and bayonet produced bore the same numbers as those issued bv witness to the accused on August

1940. No ammunition had been issued. James Hubbard, train examiner, Oamaru, gave evidence that, on October 13, he saw accused in Reed Street between 7.40 and 7.45 p.m. He passed within two feet of witness, and carried a military gun over the left shoulder. He was coming from the direction of the power house and going towards the Oddfellows’ Hall. Frederick Henry McAuley said he was a. returned soldier and was a preacher of the Gospel, residing at 98 Otipua Road, Timaru. On October 13, he attended the meeting of the Jehovah’s "Witnesses in the Oddfellows’ Hall. He was acting as usher. The meeting had been in progress half an hour when he heard shuffling in flic lobby of the hall. He had just opened the inner door when a shot was fired. He received a wound in the right thigh, but he did not see who shot hill. He was in Oamaru Public Hospital for eight weeks. As a. result of the wound, his right leg was amputated. George Robert Edwards who also described himself as a preacher of the Gospel, and one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, residing at 98 Otipua Road, Timaru, stated he attended the meeting in question with McAuley ana Ridling. They were ushers. He saw accused at the door about 7.10. Ridling invited him in. He refused and said that he would go and get a couple of cobbers who, he thought, would like to hear the lecture. He saw the accused coming down the street a second time. Accused appeared at the hall door with a lifle and bayonet. He said: “I’ve got the wood on you b now! Put up vour hands!” Accused said he would shoot them if they disobeyed. He ilso commanded witness to open the door. Witness did so, and cried „ut “Harry!” The accused came at ~jn with a bayonet. Ho warded a mow off with his hand, receiving a .lound on the back of the hand. He jien got the end of the barrel of die rifle, and tried to wrest it from iim. Accused pulled him towards he outer door, and then shoved him .owards the inner door, which opeuU and the rifle went off. Witness •as still holding the barrel of the ifle when it went off. "When Meo-

an appeared the second time with he rifle, he had it presented as if he .leant business. Meehan did not how signs of excitement when he ppeared. After that witness was coo busy protecting himself to take notice. He did no notice any smell of liquor. After the shot, Ridling struck Meehan a blow in the face.

which had the effect of Meehan releasing the rifle, and staggering him. Witness also struck Meehan. Meehan fell out on the footpath. Witness fell on top of him. Witness secured his hand, and put his knee on Meehan’s throat. Mallett Kidling, on? of Jehovah’s Witnesses, residing at 18 Foyle Street, Oamaru, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. He said accused ordered Edwards to open the in tie. door or he would blow his brains out. Ronald William Arnott Worsted, a jnechanic, residing in Foyle Street, Oainaru, stated that he was at McAuley’s side when the shot was fired. McAuley spun around and fell on the floor. He did not set who fired the shot, as it was dark in the lobby. Corroborative evidence was given by William Lang Brown, a carpenter, employed by the Railway Department at Oamaru. Witness went with a constable to get accused, who said “It was some of these b Left Wingers,” and “I did not fight in the war for that sort of thing!” George Herbert Christianson, a preacher of the Gospel, residing at 18 Foyle Street, Oamaru, gave evidence that he found .four pieces' of metal near where McAuley wsa lying, and on a curtain there were pieces of raw flesh and a number of holes. David Jackman, a retired linesman, of Oamaru, stated he gave the accused .308 soft nosed sporting ammunition about seven or eight years ago. Senior-Sergeant G. G. Kelly, Arms Advisory Officer, in the Police Commissioner’s Office, Wellington, produced a report on the examination of the rifle and cartridge shells. Constable A. D. Buchanan, cf Oamaru, who attended the meeting under instructions, described what happened at the hall. • The accused was highly excited, and lie smelt liquor on him. Meehan said that he knew what he was doing, but lie was excited; and he “would do it again.” He said: “Fifth Column b ! That’s the way to get rid of Fifth Columnists!” At the Police Station accused said: “I would d" 1 it again!” “That is the way that France and Belgium went down, by Fifth Columnists.” He said he hoped he had hurt no one else and that the rifle went off by accident in the struggle. A charge was preferred against him for attempted murder of McAuley, and he was duly warned. Evidence was also given by Senior Sergeant T. J. McGregor, who assisted Dr Butler at the hall. The accused was sober, but very excited and agitated. Witness corroborated the constable’s evidence, and stated lie found a discharged shell in the