CLERGYMAN ASSAULTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17843, 26 July 1921, Page 5

CLERGYMAN ASSAULTED.

BITTER SECTARIAN FEELING. POLICE DRAW REVOLVERS. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY. July 19. An instance of the bitter sectarian feeling in this country is afforded by the assault made last vrtek upon the Rev. W. T. Touchell, a Church of England clergyman, who is at present touring the Riverina districts forming branches of the Protestant, Federation. Mr. Touchell is a well-known figure in Sydney. He was once a priest, but he broke away from the Roman Catholic Church, became a clergyman in another faith, and has since been prominently associated with the Protestant Federation, and is a vigorous critic of Roman Catholic activities. He was conspicuous in the Sister Liguori case, the escaped nun having remained for some time at his house under the protection of Mrs. Touchell. Trouble first developed at Coolamon. A large section of the audience was hostile, persistently interrupted the speaker, and sang "Ireland for Ever." Finally, Mr. Touchell appealed to the police, and the noisiest ones were forcibly ejected. JS'ert night, in the neighbouring township of Marrar, the preacher had no sooner commenced his address in the Baptist Church than his previous acquaints ances from Coolamon arrived in five motorcars, ready for any kind of trouble. Certain militants from Marrar joined heartily ■ with the newcomers, and the parson'a meeting was soon a Bedlam. The expriest is a willing fighter, and warm words were soon passing. Then one of the Coolamon brigade, who was apparently drunk, suddenly rushed up to the stage and struck the clergyman a violent blow on the face and knocked him dow*n insensible. The constable present also sprang on to the stage, drew his revolver, and ordered the advancing "toughs" to get back. They howled and shrieked, but would not face the revolver. Another constable appeared, and, while the clergyman was receiving attention, they drove the hooligans cut of the hail. Mr. Touchell tried to resume his address, but stones began to crash on to the roof and through the windows. The police then asked Mr. Touchell to close his meeting. He was taken from the church under police protection, and the toughs made a demonstration as he was motored away. The clergyman suffered somewhat severely from shock and from a severe, cut under the ear. His assailants are being prosecuted by the police.