PRELIMINARY MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY INTO THE CHARGE AGAINST HENRY JAMES O'FARRELL, AND STATEMENT BY THE PRISONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1363, 30 March 1868, Page 6

PRELIMINARY MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY INTO THE CHARGE AGAINST HENRY JAMES O'FARRELL, AND STATEMENT BY THE PRISONER.

On Friday, the 13th instant, a special Court wab held in tno Debtors' Prison, Darlinghurst Guol, Mr. H. H. Vos?, the Water Police Magistrate, presiding, to inquire into the chur-re against Henry Jnmee ■••'b'lirrall of wounding, with intent to kill, his Royal Highness the Duke of Kdinburgh, on the 12th instant, at Clontarf, neir Sydney. Amongst, others pii?ent there were h ; s Excellency the RiL'ht I'lon. the Karl of Belmore, Captain IJeresford, Lieutenant ETftig, Yiscouut Newrj, tho Hon. Eliot Torke, Mr Toulmin, Mr. O. W. Brierley, the Attorney-General ( Itr. Martin), the Colonial Treasurer (Mr. and Mr. Wisdom, M.L.A.. The fiicfi of the prisoner (who was attired in the •prison drps3 of white canvas) presented a sickening ■k'ht. The left sile of hia fioe was very much swplled.and tho right side cut and bruised in Eeveral places, Whilst hia ri<*ht eye w,.3 black, protruding and cloaei, and his left livid with bruise* and capable of bein? only partially opened. The skin down the front of his noso waa abraJed, and that feature was lilso considerably swollen. Prisoner is about 5 feet 10 inches in height and built, has strawcolored hair, and wears all-round whiskers and a medium siz ■<! moustache. fTe if abaiit tliirty-firo years of Unable to see except with difficulty, yet he Was observant of the proceedings, and although he a«ked a few questions ha was n;ver disturbed from the almost stolid indifference to the various statements of tho manner in which his crinis wa3 committed. Mr. John Williams, Crown Silieitor, conducted the examination, and the depositions were taken by Mr. <iees. of the Water Police Court. John "Waisthall Orridge, eiimned: I am Superintendent of Polie for the eouihern district of this colony. I apprehended prisoner yesterday, and now charge him with wounding with, intent to murder hia Royal Highness Alfred Krnest Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, at Clontarf, Middle Harbour. About three o'clock yesterday afternoon I was at Oloatarf, partly on duty, and eaw the Duke of Kdinburgh and Sir William Manning walking from the luncheon booth in the direction of the beach. A picnic was being held there for the benefit of the Sailors' Home, and there was a large assemblage of persons present. When the Duke and Sir William Manning got some distance from the booth with an open space around them, the people keeping away. I eaw the Duke and Sir William apurtfrom the r>st of the people. When they had got half-way to the beach—l was then myself about seventy yards from the Duke. I then eaw the prisoner rush up from behind. He came suddenly from the crowd, took several quick steps and when within about two ;ards of the Duke, whose back was towards him, I .-aw him present a revolver at the Duko's back. I immediately began to run toward* the Duke. As I <\as run i g I saw and heard a revolver discharged and immediately I saw the Dukp fall on hi-i hands and knees. The pistol was p-.inted directly at his back. A second shot was fired before 1 reached prisoner. I could not. tell at whom the pistol wc_ pointed, as I was running quieklv, and the crow.l whs getting in the way ; but a second shot I heard before I got up to him. When T (jot up to prisoner ho was seized by gentlemen who w«re cl s-r to him ihan myself, and from them I got hold of him, and then some polled time t) ray assistance. In the heat of the m >ment I did nt the gentlemen who had hold of him. I did not losn sitjht of the prisoner, but ke t it him in ii.y company with the assistance of the police and others. 1 never lost sight of him (except whilst he was on board the stea-ner on thy transit up from Clontarf to -iydno\) till I delivered him up in Par- i linghurst gir.l. I Imvo not se«n his Roy.il Hichne*3 I sine. I did see blood flowing from the Duke's body, as the crowd immediately came round. I ciinnot say whether he was wounded. My attention waa solely occupied in securing the prisontir. Prisoner has given the name of < ''Furrell, but not to me I had no conve-sation with him until I delivered him into the cu-to iy of the gaoler hire. Whilst in the cab driving up from the steamer to the ?aol I Raw that prisoner was a good Heal knocked about in the face. One eye was bunged up, and his faoe bleeding; he fluid "' I've made a mess <>f it, and all for no good." I know ihnrois a pistol ir. the custody of police sergeant Musgrovc. I did not Bee it immediately after I eaw it in the senyennt's cus'ody. I believe ho can prove that he took it from prisoner ; another pi-tol will 'dso be produced. One is i.i the possession >.f an officer of the GaWtea, the olher in tho possession of the police. I saw a shot fired be'ore the Duke fell. I eaw him ' ill immediately after the shot was firod. I think 1 stated that the prisoner wa3 about two yards from the I>uke. Crofβ-examinei by prisoner: Did I make the remark that 1 hud made a mess of it, and all for no good? Yes.

I'risinor : I think you are wrong. In the struggle it was the party that came behind that caused the second s-hot to rxolocle. I have no further questions to ask the witness.

Henry Clarke, examined : I am a merchant, Victoria Wharf Sydney.- I was at the pir-nie at Clmiturf yesterday. I wag there a little past three o'clock. I saw the Duke of rdinburgh tlie.ro. I was standing in company with another gentleman (Mr. S. H. Pearec) nn.r to the edge of the clear ground close to the tress between the beach anri the pivillion. I called Mr. Pearec's attention to the Duke, Baring, casually, " There is thrs Prineo," at tlio sime time looWng towards the Duke. Immediately after I spoke I eaw a person, not exactly runninor, hut coming ut a smart wulk, after the Duke. I recognise piisoner as being th« m*n. Ffe came from tli! crowd. I wns in front of the i risoner, and almost in a line with him and the I'uks. I should say I was about twenty-feet from him. I saw the pris ner with something in his hand, but at the time i really did not know what it was. He presented whatever he had in hi- htind at the back of the Duke. 1 Buppo*e he was then about four-ir six lest from the .Duke I do not thin< he was more than four teet. I l,ea-d a report and saw a. flash as from a pi.-tol. I tli n perc."iverf it was a pistol he held in his hand. It was pointed at tho Duke's b.ck The Duke immediately fell nn his knees and ultered some kind of exclamation —" oh,"—or eomuthing of that kin*!. I cannot exactly say what it w.-.s I then ran toward- the prisoner and before I reached him a second shot was fired. I distinctly siw the second sliot fired. :.nd taw the pistol also I c iulii not exactly fiiiy in what direction it was fired. I was s> mii'-li excited and anxious to pre ent more damage that 1 did not see in what direction it wa* pointed. It \vhß fi<ed by the prisoner in the direction of the Duke, but whether it whs aimed at him >r any other person 1 cann t tell. Before T reached him another per-on had seized him round the arms from behind. Ido not know th" person's name. i hat w.is after the second shot was fired—almost itmnedi itely got prisoner by tile arms. T then caught, hold of (,ri-oner, and I think one or two others did so at the same timp. I think Mr. Pearcs was o>ie. i do not remember the other*. I ciiught him by the biek of the neck, and he then fell t ■ the ground. I di.l not notice that he had a revolver then About this time Mr. Orri'ige and eovne of the police cime up, and α-iughr. hold of the prisoner. I as-is'ed Mr. O.riige, the police, and other-, in placing him on board the steamer. I am sure prisoner is the man. I came up in the steamer with him us far a- the > ew Hunter l-.iver (.'ompany'9 Wharf. In fact I never lost sight of him (excepting: during the tim- he was in the hold) until he came to the whmf, I accompanied him i: the steamer on the fassnge up.

J'lisoner had no que-tion to nek tliis witness. t-inn'on Henry Piiirce, : 1 um a ir.assistrnte of the ci-1 ny. 1 «uh at I li.ntui f jeererd y and e>.w the Duko o*t Edinbu uh there. .ib.«t. th-ee o'i lock in tLe afte-noori I wns in e iiipan} - with Mr. Cl;uke(lhe last witiic.<s) the Netw en the luncheon tent and the trees that hinge 'he beach of Middlo '?ars<.ur. At this liinu Mr. larke called. , my attention to the Duke pa-oinz. u.. turning round 1 heard a report of Greirms. and eaw the lluke (ill. He frill forwards on his bunds and knees, as far a< I remember, and I heard him cry " Oh, 0h, ,, or eumethinu: to that effect 1 raw tlin pri oner at thut tirr.e retreating backwards from wlkie the Duke HI. He was retreating wilh a pi-tol in lift. hand. I think ir. ires a revolver. 1 it in •• is Imnd. I couid not see what it waa until he hud fired the second Sir Wi.lium VuMiiug w u a uiakiu" tuwaidd the prisoner, nnd the conlinued to letrent hackwurd- with a pistol in hie hand levcll d in the direition of the D.ke anil .-»ir William. At this time I waa irninedit'.;ly opposite pii-.intr, and about ten (eet from him. I s«w ii -i illimn bend his head lorward and immerliitely the prisoner fired th" shot Sir VVi Ham was inovins: lowards the p is> ner then, and immediately lbit> B>-ioiid was fired be ell to the ground, and I to cludtd he was

uhot. The prisoner continued to retreat wit'a the pietol in hie hand, tad a pereon came up beVind person I did not know—(a man in light cloVhes X think) and threw his arms right around prisoner's eody, embracing him in his arms. I, with severe others, rushed on the prUionor and seized him. Hγ" Olarke got at him behind, and as fur as I could aee pulled him d>wa on his hack. I cannot say f soticed Sir. Orridge come up. I noticed the police come up and take him into custody. I assisted the nolice in getting him on board the steamer, f have not the slightest doubt about prisiner being the man I looked at him well tJ make sure of,him. He wag never out of mv eight till he was safely in the custody of the police. I saw him safely on the sta»e near the steamer, in the custoiy of the poHcV Afterwards saw the Duke lying in his tent, hat did not 3ee that he was wounded. I saw his coat with holas in it. It was brought up from the tent. Cross-examined bv prisoner: Are you sure you saw Sir William Manning fall? Yes, I did. H e went on his hands and kn«es as fur as I remember and I concluded he was shot. That was the second shot and I concluded it had gone through him. John Harding, examined : I am one of the bandsmen on biard the Galatea. I was at Hiddle Harbour r.t a picni? yesterday—The Sailor's Home Picnic. I saw the Duke of Edinburgh there. T siw the Duke go into the tent, and a few minutes afte - wards come out and wilk towards where I and the rest of the band were standing just after pluyinjr. When he was coming close up to us, I turned from, him, and immediately afterwards a firing from a pistol, not knowing where it*csme from. I turned round and saw the Duke lying" on the ground. He cried out, and had hb hand to his right side. I did not notice the prisoner at the time. Then I heard another fire, and saw three or four men runniDg and struggling like. I should know some of them ag°ia if I saw them. This gentleman (Mr. Yi4) was one. We was struggling with somebody. Ido cot know who the other two were. I then ran over. They got the man down and moved him a bit, and I then perceived a pistol and opera glass. I picked them up. I do not know who the men were struggling with. This gentleman (Mr. Vwlj had hold of a man. As the man was struggling on the ground I picked up the pistol and opera glass. I was taking the pistol away, and the bandmaster seeing me asked me what it was, and took it from me. I gave it np to him. The bandmaster's name is Pritehard. I noticed that two chambers of the revolver were discharged and four were still loaded. That is all I snow of it. Mr. Pritehard, the bandmaster, is here to-day. I could not eay the empty chambers had been recently discharged.

Prisoner had no question to ask thia witness. Charles Pritchard examined : I am bandmaster of H.M.6. Galatea, and with the rest of the band was at the picnic at Clontarf yesterday. The last witness is one of our bmdstnen. He handed ma a revolver yesterday. I saw a person advance and fire a shot from a revolver. I could not swear wkat person it was. He had a hat on. He fired the fhot at the back of the Duke of Edinburgh. I never lost sisht of him. The Duke was coming direct to us. We never lose sight of him when we are playing at public places, unless when he goes to dinner or luncheon. The man who fired was behind the Duke, and so close to him that he might have picked his pocket when he fired. Tha Duke fell instantly, making an exclamation at the time. I saw some one seize the m m who fired and then saw a second person advance to him. The Duke was barely a couple of feet from the man. Aβ I advanced I saw a gentleman lay hold of the man's arms, and I caught hold of him by the hair of the head, and a pistol fell. I saw it fall. The crowd came round so quick that we were moved some few yards, and when we got up I saw the pistol in th 9 hands of witness Harding'. ETe gave it to me. I crave it into the hands of our officer, Lieutenant Bradley. Cross-esamined by prisoner: In reference to a second shot—did you hear and see a second shot? I saw and heard it.—Was it not while the struggle was going on ? It was when a gentleman ctught hold of his arm and knocked it down that he was in the act of firing the second shot. The Crown Solicitor: Hβ had pointed the pistol ? Yes, and was then seized oy soma gentleman, a etranarer to me. He distinctly held It up to take aim with it. By prisoner : Who was it that it was aimed at ? Whatever gentleman was with the Duke. It was aimed in the direction of the Duke. It was exactly in the same direction as the first shot, as the man had receded a little sideways— Was it not to intimidate !?ir William Manning from advancing ? He was advancing—that is, the gent eman who was with the Dulte was advancing towards the man who fired the shot. By the Crown Solicitor : Was it immediately hefore or after the man's arma were seized ? I cannot say whether it was immediately before or immediaftely after his arms were seized.—All passed very quickly ? Yes.

William Henry Bradley examined:—l am navigating lieutenant on board hor Miij-isty'a ship Gaktea. I was at the Sailors' Home Picnic yesterday, at Middie Harbour. I receired from the la3t witness a rt> volver. I have it with me. (revolver pistol produced. The weai.nn bears the name of r<mith and. Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts. It has a sirbarrelled revolving cylinder, and the barrel, which ig about seven inches 1 msr, turns upon a hinge, admitting of the remoral of the cylinder for the of loading. The ammunition used is a detonating capsule cartridge. When I received it it was in exactly the same state as now, except that it w»i then, covered with sand. Two alternate chambers are discharged, the intermediate one appearing to have missed firo The cip of the one between the two chambers discharged appears to have beeD struck by the hammer, and to hate mis&ed fire.

William Vial examined: I am a co&chmaker, Elizabeth-street, Sydney. I was at the bailors' Homo Picnic, at Clont rf, yesterday, and saw the Duke of Edenburgh there. I saw hia Royal Highness leave the luncheon t*ble. I had been in the tent and left it to walk down the green with two young ladies. I saw the Hule leave the 1-jncheon. booth and proceed to the snull pavilion or tent up for his accommodation. Near that place he was talking with two or three gentlemen, among whom Sir "William Manning was one. I next saw his Koyal Highness present Sir William with an cnvel >pe. They were then standing close toother in fr..nt of the (-mall pavilion. Thry left tha , ; pla; e toother and walked down the green to where 1 was stundine, which was a portion aim st iu a. line belw en the Galatea band stationed under the trees ne ir the b j noh and the pavilion the l)u>e and ."-<ir WillUm were coming from. I noticed his Royal fliglincss on the way down stop to speak to the rlou. G'Orge lien and Mrs. Allen. Just as the Duke and Mir°\Viliiam. got directly opposite me iu u line I etond a litile on one side to let them pis«. 1 waa about twe ty or twenty-five feet from them when the scene occurred. I was still looking at th'-tu when I enw a tnui come up from the tide and behind, and m .ke fo.r or five quick steps towards the Duke and >ir William. Before I had time to mnv.- tuwards him, lie levelled a pistol at his Koyal buck a id fired. As nearly as I couid he wui about f-ur lest frim the Duke—that is the p-int of the pistol wu* ahout four feet off—when he fired. 1 he J)uke fell on his hands, and rather <">a his rigiit side, excjainr.ng , " My back is bro en " or something to that . 3«et. tSir William Manning on the moment turned round and faced the m.n. The man it treated in s, side direction towards, and sang out to o ir William Manning " stand back." He presented the pistol at S-ir William, and drew the trigger, but the pi?t>l did not go off. At that moment 1 upen iiiru, my arms ro;.nd his, aud clipsed mv han s ligh'ly in front of him. He then hud the pistol again levelled in the direction of his Koyal Higlines- *ni Sir »• illiam vanning, who were both i:i a line with him. The Duke being on th/; ground, -mJ i 1 Witfarajust recovering himself afi.r t»li :ig. 'Hie four of us were in » line. I hai jumji-d o '■ li * back and pinioned a ms to hie side, whiL-t he had. the pistol ready for ainrher shot. hilat I hfl'l nm in that way he twist d hi- ri<ht arm ruumi ""i pointed the pistol at me uterint; an oath nt thotime. " You b b I,' I think were t!i= w-.tJs used. When he found he c u'd not fire at ai-, ho levelled the pistol again in the dire-ti-n he h>d it bafore, and then I p*-sed mv right hand quicUy down his right arm, knocking it d> wn, "nd d verting the direction of the ba 1 io the >;r>uiid. Whil-tm this position I put rav rinht heel in front of his I-"5 to throw him over if I c-ulii. but jjsl then 1 w..s caught by the h <ir of th' head and treitml nmercitully for a tim.-, thrown -iowi. kie-.e i, and beaten in the.huny of the people to get ho.d -t him. I saw Mr. Clark thbie. I had no i ea what became of the num. I h .d as m i> h ae I c-u a do to extricate myrel', '"iw hnvin* h'>M oi tne >>' the baard and whisVers. o h-rs sivins; me b.nw* mit I I bled from the mm.tli „. d n-se When I can.- O inquire alter the oirni, ho »ns gonP. I be »'"'' speak of was in build and siio about the tume a*

Tirisoner, but when I saw him he w B 3 not defaced as now. He is now somewhat altered in appearance bv hi s bruised and swollen face. I believe he is the man. I forgot to mention that I sang out for asai-'tance, saying I had <s°t him. Plenty of assistance came iu a moment. Very little time elapsea from the first mcraant of the whole affair till the j fini-h. I had seen hin face before I got hold of him. I I <a w it when he was retreating, and also when he looked over his shoulder at mo, as we were then lace to face. no question to ask ihis witness. Moxander Watson examine.l : 1 am a surgeon of the Kovul Savy, now eerving on board riiil'ieni< r. I left his Hoyal Highness the Duko of Edinburgh only n few minutes ago. I saw him vei-ti-rday, ten'ninutcs after he was wounded. I was at tlie Sailors' Home I'icnic at Clontarf. I siw hhn fall, and ru-hed to his cssi.<t:mce. I heard a pistol shot, and was close to him. I could not say p-hi tlior 1 was in front of him or behind him, there beins a crowd all round. Immediately on hearing the ri-tpl shot I went to his assistance, and pave direction? f>r convoying him into the tent. There I had him stripped ind examined, and found he was wounded in the back, over th- ninth rib, about wo in.h- s to the right of the veterhal column. I examined the wound as far us I could with the probe. Tt \v:i* a recent pistol shot, witli Fliulit hemorrliaue. The KiUet has not yet been removed. Tim pistol primed is one by which such a wound might be inflicted, judging from the size ot the ball. The bullet penetrated the three skins. Tl e probe penetrat.d the wound about an inch and a half. I have not the slightest doubt the wound was from the shot I heard. I heard the shot and immediately saw him fall.

Prisoner had no question to ask tins witness. Senior-sergeant Kawlinson, examined : I assisted arresting prisoner yesterday, at Clontarf I saw a pistol taken from him by police sergeant Musgrove. It was tiken froni the outside breast pocket of his coat. I helped to bring prisoner from the steamer at Darlinphuist. I accompanied him in the cab. He said something to me on the wa> from the sti-amor to the cab. He %oked round at me and said, " I'm reiv mucb obliged to you f r getting my lace •washed. ,. This was on the wharf, as we were coming from the steamer to the cab. I had earned the blood to be wished from his face. Ho also said, " I don't care for death, I'm sorry I missed my aim—l made 3j, of it." This was said to ine voluntary. I had not spoken to him at a'l. Hβ said he was a Fenian and *• God er.vo Ireland." This -was not on the wharf, it was when I first cot hold of him lit Clontarf. He was then kicking and pluncing. and 1 had hold of or;e of his legs. He said I'm a Fenian —God siTe Ireland. 1 was from twenty to twentyfive yards from him when the shots were fired, aud came' up immediately he was; laid hold cf. there was a rush m*de. Immediately after ho had said he had juade a '• nit si of it." he said " I can't help it now."

Prisoner had no que?t>cris to ask this witness Ei +:ird examined , I am i sergeant of j police stationed at >yduey ; I was at the Sailors' : Home Picnic, lit Clruta.f. yesftrdnj ; I heard a shot fired just nftev the Duke came from the luncheon hble- I assisted in securing prisoner ; he/was then on the "round ; I did not notice anybody ei S o theie ; I ent hnld of prisoner by the hair nnd shoulder; he safct " I'm a bloody Fenian, and I'll aie for my countrv;" I noticed a revolver in his left-hand outtide brrast p. etet of his coat; he w&s on the ground and just rising; I seized the pistol; I he had hold of it and was tryinc to "fire it, and told the crowd to look out, as heW another pistol; I saw that a'l the chambers of the pistol we e joadrd and capped ; it is a small sized Colt's ; 1 did rot find anything else in bis pocket ; it was in the same condition as now when I took it froli him ; it is a new pistol with the brand of." Challiuer, gunmaker, Sydney ;" I stuck to prisoner till we got near the -wharf, and accompanied Vm to Sydney. 00-5-examined by prisoner: 1 never uspd the word « b " He used the word i" h "distinctly. J. Bobinscß, examined ; I am a constable stationed in the Svdney district. I was on duty at the pun at (lontarf vest erday. I assisted in appreheEding and bringing'the prisoner to Sydney. I heard shots fired there. The prisoner in my hearing said something shortly after the shots were fired. He said, " I've done my duty and I can die for my country.' After getting him into the steamer, he said, " It can't be helped now, I've made a mess of it." I do not recollect that he had said before anything to -which this had reference. _ Prisoner had no questions to ask this witness. ±le was remanded till Monday, the 16th March. Secoitd Day, March 16. imoi? those presmt at the inquiry this day were Commodore Lambert, the Hon. Eliot York Viscount Vpvttv Caotain Beresford. Captain Lyon, Lieutenant Commander Campbell, Mr. O W. Brierly, Mr°C E l-.omillv. Lieutenant Vane, R.is.; Lieut. Bomilly, "R.N., 'the Hem T A. Murray Sir W. Maimin- the Hon. S. D. Garden, Mr. J. H. Nealo, M.L.A.'Mr. R. Hi!l. and Mr. K. HilL Prisoner's appearance to-day was considerably improved the swelling of his face reduced, and his eyes were less inflamed. There ie nothing remarkable m the expression of his countenance, and well dreised as he w« -vhen his crime wa» committed he would have passed as an individual of respectable intelligeDSaapePrTntendent Orridge, recalled : The charge upon which I apprehended prisoner was that of shooting with intent to murder Ei3 Boyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. ~.*..,. The Crown Solicitor: Wounding with intent to murder? Wounding with intent to murder.—ln yonr dercsiticn of Friday last did you state that you charged him with this offence ? I did so.^ Sir William Montague Manning, Knight, examined • I was at the bailors . Home picnic at Clorjtarf on Thursday last. I was first at luncheon with the Duke of Edinburgh, and when he retired from the luncheon table I retired with him. I went out of the luncheon tent at the same time as the Duke of Edinburgh, his Hxcellency Lord Belmore Lady Belmore, and Eome others. The Dufce led Lady Belmore to the pavilion or private tent provided for him, and Lord Belmore, accompanied by a lady and myself, followed to the same tent. The Duke then sonified to me in some way that he desired my attendance, walked a little way from the tent and went in a direction towards the trees skirting the bay-to-wards the water—accompanied by myself only. He Terv shortly after sail he wished to present a donation to the^ailnrs . Home, and gave me an envelope. We went a little further in the same direction and meerTne with Mr. and Mrs. George Allen, he shook hands with Mr. Mien, and then proceeded farther, Still K oing in the same direction towards the hay. Bis Koyal Highness was conversing with me when . heard an explo-on, which appeared to me 1-ke fciat of some small fi.ework or cracker discharged in. the air It was very close to me. But at the time 1 hai no idea what it was. Perhara I should mention that hi. Koval Highness was on my right, and I was very Bli-htlv behind the line of his course-merely a short, restful di»tanc« from him, and scarcely enough to gay" behind him. I think the Duke made some exCl.mation indicating that he was struck but I could net undertake to eay that I saw him fall, or that I B aw he was hit. Immediately after the report he either -aid soinethins or was falling. WhicheTer it was it led me to an impression that he was struck I faced round towards the direction the report h.d come from, and I believe I advanced towards the man I eaw but wbereahoats that man was I cannot vay exactly The Hofinita recollection I have ia that I saw a man standing not far from me. However much I moved I cannot rec llect, whether one pace or many. When I turned round T saw the man I cannot say whether he had anything m h, a hand or not. I cannot be very defimte as to where he was standee He must have been behind the Duke. I cannot eay he was immediately behind, but he was behind the Duke. I believe I advanced in a direction towards h=m. After a short interval I noticed a man I should judge to be two or three paces from me and facing me. I cannot be certain even of adwctag, but I know that was my impulse. Very shortly Isawa man corresponding in general description to the prisoner now before trie Court bu' dressed ae appeared to me at a momentary glance like a gentleman, and facing me. He presented a pistol at me. I could >ee the very small single barrel Be was in ihe act of presenting the pistol at me asl l thought in a line with my head. It appeared to be so It appeared to mo he wae on the very instant of Erine, and I lowered myself to the ground as quicKly as I coula to avoid the ahot, as it were, or get out of the line of his fire. In so doing I lost my balance and fell completely down. I believe I fell, hut before I fell quito down, or before I began to move, or when I was f.dlirjfr, I eaw that the pistol snapped. I was in the net of rising I believe. Almost immediately aftermards, I saw the man again at what appeared to me a eomewhat greater distance, although I could not be euie of it, and presenting a pieiol

again. Hβ was presenting what appeared to be the same pistol. It was impossible ho cou d have had time to ch inge it. It appeared me, having my eye on him at the time, and on nothing olso that the pistol was pointed directly at myself, .lust at that iustant I caw two arms come round the man's arms, from his back, and elapsed in front I could not see tho man, but the arms catnt- from behind just at tho instant the man with the pistol appeared to bo about tj lire. Very shortly afterwards the pi tol exploded, but how quickly after lam not able to state- It was almost immediately. Tho next thing I after I μ-ot up was a cluster of men on the ground at the ep-.it where the man hid been. They were-leaning over something on tho (•round, and struggin..'. 1 observed one, or, as I thought, two policemen trying to pull somo ot them eft". I think there were two policemen. It w:is somewhat at my reht hand that I saw the cluster of men, or so they seemed us I was then stancMii!». Almo-t vn the same instant ! saw on my left hand a number of men carry ing his lioyul Highness UlO l)ui;e of Kdinbnrgh towards his piivato pav.Hon o- tent, nnd I heard his oval Highness ev.y something to this effoci. " I'nrry mi> uiuro ea.-.i!y, or gontly." I then followed the purty carrying the Duke, anil took no rami notico of the man, or any tiling that oecuared Jn rotVrin 0 tn him T could not take npon myself t'i S'iy I r. cognise the prisoner as being tho man. It occnino.l to me at the time that he w; t3 ;i man about five f.'et ten or eleven inches in height, slight and straight, « man about his liguro and stump ; but I cannot say it was him, being strange to me. It was a man of his figure, stamp, and general appearance. I have no recollection of hearing an expression from him, but I recollect something stopped mo short. By Mr. Voss : Just as ho presented the pistol ? T know soinethiiisj stopped mo short just before the pistol was presented, but 1 cannot recollect what it was. I cannot state what wa* said.

Prisoner : I linvo no question t.i ask. but I would make a remark. If he hud not coino forward I would have shot the Duko a second time.

The Crown Solicitor: Will the prisoner repent what he has just 3 iid ? iVisoner: If !?ir William Manning bad not rushed between mo and tho Duke, the Duko would have received a second shot. Hβ rushed right at me. The Prince would have received a second shot, and I should have shot myself. Hut I had not tim° to rlo it. Of course I had nothing to do with Sir William Manillas.

J< hu Tort nee M'Mahon examined: I am a clerk iu the General Post Cfficn, Sydney. I was at tho Sailors' Home Picnic, at Clontarf, on Thursday last, 1 saw the Puke of Edinburgh there. Some tiir.o after 2 o'clock I think. 1 did not see him come out ov the refreshment booth. 1 fan- him shortly afterwards comiiii; from his own font towards tho beu-h. Ibis was between 2 :>nd I? o'clock. I was th-n standing near the jetty wher.- tho penplo lnnd. Sir"\Vilii;im Mining was with him. At that time I saw the Duke comir.g alorg tow-.rds (he bench and speaking to Kir William, and tho lady who v. as standing speakinsr to ir.e asked me to wulh, towards tho Puke so that she might see his face. I did so. Whilst I was looking in the direction of the Duke (T do not think I was" looking at him), and when less than ten yards oft' him. nud meeting him with the intention when nearer to eroes on his left, I saw n nian coming along from the direction of the tent, walking outside the crowd. Tho peoplo did not follow his Royal Higness, but seemed to form a kind of half circle. The m.'n was walking towards tho Duke After he got cl s?, or within about twenty yards from him, the man got out of the crowd into the green. Ho did not quicken his pace just then, but "did so nfterwrt'.de. He got closer to the centre of the green us he got closer to tho Duke and hhen he came within less than twenty

yards he walked hastily <p to him. It wa'ched him then, as I wanted to know wh it he intended to do, thinking he was going to call the Dulco's attention to somethinL'behind. I kept my eves on him. When he got straight behind the Duke he cime about a step, I should think, to the left of his Royal Highness —a little towards Sir "William Manning. He came within an arm's length of the Duke, so close thnt lam quite positive tt.at he touched his buck. I did not see onything in his hand, because Sir William Manning was a little between him and me, bus I know his hand touched the Duke's back, I am quite certain of that. I heard a report directly, ane saw the Duke fall on his hands I think, and give an awful scream. I did not see a pistol f>ed There was no smoke, and 'he report seemed nothing more than that of a Chinese cracker. I rushed up tho moment I saw the Duke fall. As I was running T passei on my right Sir William Manning and the tall man who 1 imagined had fired the shot. As I passed them I heard the cocking of a pistol, being qi'ite close. I heard the snaping and cocking of a pistol just as I rushed past. I nw Sir William Manning with his hands up, whether one or two I cannot say. I thought they seemed to be trying to grapple each other at the time. I shou'd think their hand were about a yard apart. I did not hear ar.other shot. I passed on to the Duke and covered h : s body entirely from the prisoner, who "was in a line quite behind mo ; my body was between the Uuke and Sir William Manning and tho prisoner ; then I assited the Duke into the tent, and stayed ■sith him till he came to Sydney.

The Crown Solicitor: Now who is tbe man you haze been speaking of who fired tne shot? Witness : Just ask the prisoner to stand up (Prisoner, who hud been sitting from the commencement of :his day's proceedings now tose.) The w a g his height, he is just the style of man, and ie the same I ibeliere ; I believe him to b;; the man ; he was dresßo n bla-k, and had a very gentlemanly appesiraace, so much so that I thought him a parson of the JJuke's suite, or connected witn; the mrnagement of the picnic; 1 have no doubt the prisoner is the man-

Prisoner had no question to ask the witness. William Hern-y Gliding, examined; I am a publican living at Waverly, |near this city. I have Been the prisoner at the bar before ; it was on laet, about half:prist 11 o'clock in the moaning ; he camo into my houuo ; he called for a gla3S of ale and asted me if 1 had heard the report of the revolver, he said that he had diacharged it at the back of my hnuse. When he left my house I accompanied him to the hill to show him Waverley. He took hie handkerchief out of his pocket and showed me some bullet holes in it. The handkerchief was white and something like a lady's handkerchief. There were some holes in it. He pnt hie fineer through one, and said " tbe washerwoman will think that I have been doing something." He a*ked me at what distance I thought he had fired at the marlj, and when I asked him at what distance, he said seven yards. He said something about going to the ball. He said he was never fio much sucked in as he was last I a=ked him the reason. He said he had bought a ticl:et, and had no dresseoat —that he went to a tailor and engaged one for the nitiht —that he left tho ticket with the tailor till he called for the coat —and that when ht came back for it the coat and the ticket were both pone. He asked me whut kind of place Clontarf was, but not in reference to anything ehe he said that I can recollect.

Prisoner had no qufistion to ask the witness,

Alexander Watson (naval surgeon serving on board H.M.H. Challenger) recalled —With the assist-au-e of Dr. Young I extracted the ball from the body of the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday morning last at 8 o'cl ck. I am now pretty nearly able to state wbut his wound is and where it commenced and terminated. The ball entered two inches 10 the right of the spino on a level with the ninth rib. It went io within about two inches of the breast bone. I bavo the bullot with me (bullet produced). I see the revolver produced (the rovolver piekei up from the ground, imd having two chambers discharged). I believe thU bullet would have come from that instrument. .Prisoner had no question to aek the witness. • John CarfTrey examined—T am aequatter, from the colony of "V ictoria. I identify the prisoner. He wae utr duced to me as Henry O'Farrell, at hia brother's house in Melbourne., about fourfoen years ago. To the beat of my recollection it wue in 1855. It might have been 1854. Prisoner had no question to a"-k thie witness. This was the case for tho Crown. Mr. Voss : Prisoner, you will now heat the whole of the evidence read over. Prisocer: You need not read it over. The whole of the depositions having been read by Mr. Lees, hie Worship called upon prisoner to stan'l up, and then asked him if he had anything to say, at the same time administering the usual caution before committals. Prisoner: I have nothing to eay but that the task of executing the Duke was sent out and alloted to me. The Crown Solicitor: Will you repeat what yiu have just eaid? Prisoner : Tho task of executing the Prince wi-.s sent out to me, but I failed, and I am not ver> EOrry that I did fail. That ia all 1 have to say.

I He WBB then formally committed to tako his trial t at the Central Criminal Court, to be holden at DarI linghurst, on tho 26th iuat.

TUB ASSASSIN O'FARRELT,. The Melbourne Argus oi the 13th instant publishes (ho following particulars with referonco to i) Farrell. an abstract of which wo had by telegraph from Melbourne on Saturday, but withheld it- publiruti -n, as tho preliminary examination was thon unfinished: — . 80-iders will so.« by tho Sydnoy telogram in another cdumu, that the mini bv whom Hie assassin .ti»n of trinro .illrod was attempted is named 11. J. O i'airell, or H F. U'KuiroU, timl it is stated that he wns brothe--to a Melbourne Solicitor. Some particulars relative to the Victorian c : :r or of this man will no doubt now be. int'resting. Tho solicitor, his brother, was I*. A. G. • I'furrell. who succeeded euvcr.il years iigo in mpking himsolf n vory notorious name in Melbourne, mid who decamped from tho colony soon after th.i toriiiiniitioii of tho libel action Hunify v. O'Farrell, lo.ivins: behind him n reputation which s -bscq:.--::: liU. overies h.-ive not tended to rehabilitate, ilis brother. If. J. (VFarrell, is about three years younger, and is at present about tliirty-threo j-i-ars of ti K o. Their father was a butcher, n very old colonist, wh' inanv yours ago kept a sh'ip at the low«r end of lUuaberh-street. The family, which wm a mimtrJUS on J, sovoral of its members being lit {'resent settled in differ nt parts of tho colour, worn educated in a manner to fit them for pot-itions higher thiin tho trado followed by their father. The subject of this notice, after being in business for eomo time »t Ballarnt, left the colony about eight years ago, and wen I homo to study for the Church. He pursued his studies for some time, and in tho course of his stay in Europe visited Home Ho came out asjnin to Victoria in 18G2, ,md after continuing his studies for some time, finding his health giving way, he returned to Ballirat mid resumed busin-ss us a general storekeeper. Wl.iie at Ballarut ho was looked upon as a leading member of the Catholic Church, und, like his brother, took a warm and intimato interest iu its intorniil affairs. The. absconding of his brother souiiu to have occasioned him considerable pecuniary loss, and ho determined to go to Sydney, where it appears from tho telegram that ho liua been employed as n lawyer's clerk. Those who knew him ' well, speak of him as a man of gentleniiinlr demeanour, but exceedingly cxoitahlo, and of a very violent and misanthropical disposition. He is also "spoken of as one who, having attache:! himself to an idea, would pursue, it any post to himself or to others. One. well acquainted with him for years, und ~bU> to form a conv.rtunt i>p : nion ri'fpi'Cti.ig hi:u, sujs that on ono occasion, a! out tw.lvo months ugo.'he met him on the Melbourne c ickit qi-oui.d, and from his ..xtmordinary manner and conversation he formed the opinion thut he was not thon of eou'-.d mind. His manner wa3 vtry absent, and he exhibited an extreme degree of excitability, 110 would converse with tho greatest warmth on some subjects, and then suddenly diverge to n. mutter entirely foreign to it. He seems to have left the impression on one. at le:isc of his iicqunintnn.es— and one who had known him for a lung time—that he was " a very dangerous man." T'heso indications would seem to p:>int to an apparent aberation of intellect as the s'urco of his attack on the life of tho I'rinco. Still, even if that wore proved, it would remain a question why mental aborratiun iu this e.as.> took tho form of a determination to murder a Prince of the Hojal family of Kngland—whether tho motives were merely individual ones, or whether he was used as an instrument by an organization. The elucidation of this question must como from the direct investigitions to be mado at Sydney, and at present ic would bo useless to speculate here in the ! total absence of material for a determination.

Tho following description of O'Farrell has been telegraphed by The police of Sydney to the authori:—He ii about o feet IU inches high, hair dark brown and rather thin at tho top ; walks upright, and has a muscular build ; florid complexion; from thirty to thirty fivo years old ; sta'es that he is a nutive of Dublin. Hie chin is clean shaved. We have ulsu been informed that U. J. O'Farrcll formely resided in Doveton-etrect, Bullarat; that he drank very hard, and wus subject to fits of delirium tremens. On one occasion he a*ked an acquaintance to lend him a pair of pistols to blow his bruins out. It 13 doubtful whether the fellow ie tho brother or the cousin of Mr. P. ■». C. O'SVrrell.