BOOTY HILL SHOOTING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 3

BOOTY HILL SHOOTING CASE.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Further particulars regarding llio Rooty Hill (New South Wales) shooting case show that after the dying depositions of the Rev. W. Witcombo were taken, ho was cross-ex-amined by Edgar Price, his brother-in-law, who had shot him. In answer to Price, ho said:—"You pointed the revolver, and asked mo to sign a document that was in the sittingroom. I did not threaten to kick you out if you • said anything more of the matter. I said, ' You are welcome, and everything in the house is at your disposal. My wife and children having left home, I refuse to have anything more to do with them.' The house was still open for them to return, but if I hey loft the colony 1 would havo broken up my homo. I did not catch you by the throat in the passage I was not within yards of you when you shot me. I foil down. You refused lo drink in my bouse. I never heard of you drinking intoxicants. I offered you a glass of whisky. I had a few drinks, but was not under tho influence of liquor. I don't know what time Veal loft, but I think it was about an hour and a-half before you phot me. I had about a tablespoonful of whisky between the timo you behaved as a gentleman until this affair happened. I refused to discuss my wife's affairs with you alone. I said, ' Anything you have to say, say before Mr. Veal.' There was no ill-feel-ing between us. You wished to discuss domestic affairs, and I refused." Mrs. Witcombo, when interviewed, was very agitated. It was easy to sec that sho felt more for her brother, shut up in Penrith Pnlico Station, than for her unfortunate husband. It was at Islington, fjluatcd at Plumpton, a couple of miles from Rooty Hill, •and between that township and Blacktown, that our reporter saw her. Tho house is a comfortably-furnished cottage, standing back about 30yds, from tho road, and is somewhat isolated in position. "How I feel for poor Edgar," sho oxclaimed. "Ho must havo loved me when ho would do such a thing for me. Never had sister a bettor brother. Such a bright, jolly young follow he was. Ho had a good position in tho Savings Bank at Adelaide, where my peoplo livo, and are respected and esteemed, and ho got a month's holiday to come over hero and see if he could get my husband to agree to maintain the children. There aro four of Kathleen (the eldest), Doris, Noel, and Olive. The eldest child is 10 years old.

Mr. Witcomho and I have been married for about 11 years, and wo have been living hero for the last four or fivo years. Ho owns the properly, and was once well off. It is well known that wo haven't, been living very happily. About 10 days ago my brother camo over from Adelaide to take me and tho children away, and to try and make some arrangement for tho maintenance of the children. On Tuesday ho camo up, and took us away, and wo went to stay at a. place in Wynyard Square. Exactly 'what took place between my brother and my husband I can't tell, but I know this, that whilst wo wore at lea at Wynyard Square on Wednesday night, Edgar suddenly got up and said he was going away. ' Where to?' I asked, 'up Parramatta way?' 'Yes,-' ho replied, 'something like that. ( Don't you worry, old girl, I'll be all right,' and then ho went out. I know, also, that he told one of tho waitresses not to 101 l mo whoro ho was going to, nor that ho would bo away all night, but that I needn't worry, as ho would be all right. Now, I know that he came up here. I hadn't tho slightest idea that he carried a revolver with him."

Mr. Witcomho was lying on a bed when a reporter called at the house. Ho consented to see him, but when tho latter was ushered inside ho declined to say anything that would throw fresh "light on tho tragedy, He appeared to be suffering very much from exhaustion, and the bedolothos wore stained with blood. "No, I would rathor wait till it comes before the Court," ho said. "I havo already mado a statement to the police, and there is not much to add." He is a man; of about 50 years of ago, and very strong and handsomely built. He has a largo, full faco, with a heavy black beard. Though ho is in a critical condition, it is not thought likely that ho will succumb to his injury. The previous history of the Rev. William Witcombo will be read with interest. His first call was to Browarrina, in 1875, and there ho spoilt four years, leaving for Rylslono, where ho stayed till 1883. From 1883 to 1884- ho was in charge of Christ Church, Sydney, and from 1884 till 1885 ho acted as curate at St. James'. From 1887 to 1888 ho was acting-incumbent at Kapunda, in the dioccso of Adelaide, and here, it would appear, ho made tho acquaintance of Miss Price, who afterwards became his wife. He acted as incumbent of St. Albans, Five Dock, from 1889 to 1892, when ho went to St. Paul's Lithgow, staying there for four years. Since that ho occupied the position of curate at St. Paul's, Canterbury, but it is now some timo since ho officiated there. At present, it is understood, he is unattached.