Fierce Family Feud

NZ Truth, Issue 935, 27 October 1923, Page 6

Fierce Family Feud

THE BURKES OF BARRYTOWN.

(From "Truth's"' Greymouth Rep.)

The feud that has raged for many moons between the various branches of the Burke family at Barrytown, the cow and cocky community on the road to Westport, has provided the Greymouth police and Magistrate with plenty of occupation. The civil war has as -yet resulted m no loss of life, but the loss of temper has been enorimous, the language a liberal education, minor injuries many, and the cause of the strife practically everything from cattle to children. Every little while, Constable Jack Crowley throws his leg over Barney, the police broncho, and hits the trail for Barrytown, and the word goes round that "the Burkes are at it again." The fact that comparatively few of the Burke bust-ups become serious enough for Magisterial intervention is a tribute to the tact and diplomacy of Jack Crowley, and he is regarded by many people as the unofficial Judge of Barrytown. He, for one, certainly earns" his salary, including, the extra sprat per day doled out to the Force. The latest count against one of the clan, alleged indecent assault, was too much for police and Magistrate, and will be dealt with at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Greymouth.

Charged with indecently assaulting his 10-year-old cousin at Barrytown on September 27, George Frederick Burke, a lad of 16 years, found a big battery of curious eyes turned upon him when he entered the Magistrate's Court, and felt the need of all the support that Mr. W. J. Joyce, who defended him, could provide m the way of reassurance. Senior-Sergeant P. J. McCarthy prosecuted, and on his application the doors of the Court wero closed on the curious crowd, who were disappointed of the morning's entertainment that they had promised themselves. It is wonderful the amount of interest displayed m such cases by some people, and not a very creditable reflection on either their good taste or their mentality.

The mother of ■ the girl, Mrs. Catherine Burke, who resides at Barrytown with her husband, said that her daughter had her tenth birthday last March. She left home for the Barrytown education dispensary at eight o'clock m the morning, and returned home about four m the afternoon, it was her custom to v bring home a milking cow, but on September 27 the cow was missing:. When questions were asked the girl told a tale to the effect that George Burke had stopped her on the road to school In the morning, and had interfered with her! She screamed, but George informed her that if she didn't shut up he would screw her neck. Cross-examined, the mother'' said that the girl did not say that George accused her of "dogging" his cows. There had been continuous trouble between the Burkes for years. Witness remarked that her husband had the misfortune to be a half-brother of accused's father.

.The girl m her evidence denied previous friendship with George. He had blamed her sister for pulling the staples out of his fence, but they did not dog his cows. After George interfered with her he wanted to kiss her, and when she refused he took one.

Two of the girl's classmates said that they noticed her eyes were red as If she had been crying, arid she told them at playtime that George Burke had interfered with her, but * did not say that he had also kissed her. She got through her lessons all right that day.

Constable Crowley said that accused denied speaking to the girl, but later admitted that he had committed the offence. Accused made the admission without the aid of any leading questions from witness.

After Magistrate Meldrum had refused to reduce the charge, a plea of not guilty was entered, cVefenco reserved, and- accused was committed for trial, bail being allowed m self £50 and one surety of £50.