BANK SENSATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 10

BANK SENSATION.

SOUTHLAND lIOLD-UP. TWO MEN FOR TRIAL. MANAGER DESCRIBES ATTACK. ACCUSED'S ALLEGED STATEMENTS [BY TELEGHAr-H. —FRKSS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, Friday. As a sequel to the Edendale Bank sensation, William Leonard Brewer, a single man, aged 24, and Maurice Patrick Duffey, a married man, aged 27, iverc charged in the Tolire Court to day with freaking and entering with intent to commit a crime. Robert Archibald, manager of the Edehdale branch of tho Bank of New youth Wales, stated that he was reading in the kitchen about 11 p.m., when the door suddenly swung open and he saw the barrel of a rifle coming round tho corner. The man holding it was all in black. He. turned toward witness and then witness saw another figure. Tho first man called out: "Don't- move"; and Mrs. Archibald started screaming. The feeorid man attacked her. She was struck on tho head and rushed out of the house, followed by the man with the title. Man with a Sandbag. Witness came to grips with the other man, who had a sandbag, which burst. "Witness aroused the neighbours, ouc of whom found the rifle, which was discharged. The window in front of tho sitting room had been pushed up. Evidence was given by Fred George Swain, a farmer, and a relative of Duffey. He detailed an alleged conversation after tho hold-up. Swain, a farmer of Gorge RoaCj said Duffey had been in tho habit of coming to his place to cut wood for over 12 months. Brewer had not been to witness' place before ho arrived late on the Monday night or early on tho Tuesday morning. They remained there until they were arrested" oil tho following Friday morning. They had two bottles of beer with them which weie carried in a sugar-bag. They showed witness a couple of sandbags which they had brought with them. They were made of dark material, but witness i could not positively identify the one pro- j duced. Entry Through Window. The men said they had come out with the intention of sticking up a bank. Witness told them they were fools. Nothing more was said that night. They told him they had been down to stick up a bank. It appeared that they got in through a front window of the house. They had masks on and they had a look at themselves in tiio glass to sec how they •looked. . The men told witness that they then opened the door and went into the room where the bank manager and his .wife were. They said the manager was reading a book and his wife was sewing. Brewer apparently went in first, carrying the rifle. They said the manager dropped his book when he saw them. ftlrs. * Archibald rushed forward and grabbed the rifle. Duffey hit her with the sandbag and she turned and ran outside. Brewer chased her. She ran into th«i gate and fell over and Brewer was trying to gag her. Chased with a Chair. Witness continued that the men told him that Mr. Archibald went outside.. Duffey tried to wrench the leg off a chair, but it would not come off. He then chased Mr. Archibald with the chair, the latter making for a high fence. Duffey said Mr. Archibald was roaring like a mad bull. Brewer said, "There's too much row here. Let's get out of here." Continuing, witness said the rifle produced was very much like the one at his ' place; .Both had a dint on the triggerguard. The rifle was in better order now than when he saw it last. On the Wednesday night, the men brought back with them several tins of tobacco and half a loaf of bread. On the Thursday morning witness told Brewer he would have to get away home. They told him to hold his tongue about the matter. The rifle that was in front of his hut was all rusty and weatherbeaten. Accused pleaded not guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial.