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Otago Daily Times, Issue 44, 6 January 1862, Page 3

was; to which she replied that it was iR)t his; that she had the horse and that he should not get it. At this time Mrs Gallagher was sitting in front of the bar with her arms folded. On mentioning to him about having the horse, he told her to " hold her chat," and nulling out a pistol fired at her head. Mr Scurr, who was behind the bar at the time, on seeing Gallagher draw out the pistol, exciaimed, "don't," but before he could prevent it the discharge took place. Mr Scurr hurriedly quitted the bar, and sent a messenger, whom he put through the back ■window, for the police. Two reports of firearms were afterwards heard in the passage) and the servant girl states that she saw Gallagher twice discharge a pistol at his own head. A bullet was found where Mrs Gallagher was shot, but there is no certainty.as to whether it Was discharged at her or no ; but as it pre* sents no flattened appearance we are inclined to believe tl::it it was never fired off. Mrs Gallagher gr >ped her way along the passage, totally blinded by the gunpowder (the pistol having been discharged close to her face) and reaching the farther end, fell. Exactly what occurred immediately afterwards is not known, but the unfortunate woman, her face and clothes coveivd with blood, was shortfy afterwards seen by the Gundagai mailman, and by him conveyed into town, where steps were taken to procure her admission into the hospital. At first it was supposed that the inju-. ries received were caused by gunpowder nnd wadding ; but on enquiry 3'esterday evening, ■we were informed thnt she is sensible of the presence, beneath the eye, of something like a swan shot. % It is therefore apprehended that the injury is of a more serious nature. Both eyes are affected; one was entirely closed, while the other remained fixedly open, After Gallagher left the house, it would appear that he mounted his horse, and at a short distance away (# met with Mr Thomas Barber, who was driving into town in his dogcart. Gallagher told him what he had done, and that he had fired two shots at himself; but that God would not allow him to complete the work. Mr Barber wanted him to give up the pistol, hut that he refused to do, and rode away in the direction of Alt's. On information of the affair reaching the police, two constables were despatched in search of Gallagher, for the purpose of apprehending him, and as he is well known in this part ofthe country, it is probable that not many days will elapse before he is in custody. It is stated that the murderous attack on the woman was prompted by jealousj', and that husband and wife have lived on \ery indifferent terms for some yeaas past.