A NIGHT’S VIGIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19277, 15 September 1924, Page 10

A NIGHT’S VIGIL.

WYNDHAM RESIDENTS STARTLED.

A man named Daniel Blackburn appeared in the Wyndham Court last Thursday morning before Messrs J. Millar and W. J. Cowie, J.P.’s, charged with drunkenness. Ho was remanded for a week’s medical treatment and removed to the lirvorcargill gaol. Other charges are pending. It is alleged that Blackburn began to make tho people who resided in the same house nervous early ou Wednesday evening hy his behaviour,' but it was not until nearly 11 p.m. that he commenced to be violent. The first one to suffer at his hands, so it is alleged, was his wife, whom ho assaulted, injuring her neck and shoulders. Blackburn conjured up some imaginary grievance against Mrs Blackburn, and on this account knocked her obout considerably. Those residing in tho house managed to get Mrs Blackburn away and when they returned Blackburn, who had in the meantime armed himself with two revolvers and a repeating rifle, defied anyone to approach the house, threatening to shoot should thev do so. He had a literal supply of ammunition and was known to be a fairly good shot. The other occupants of the house promptly decamped, but one, before leaving, managed to secure a revolver which was fully loaded. The man who secured the revolver awakened his employer and told him what had happened. Blackburn in the meantime had a prowl around tho streets, but finding no one to vent his grievances upon, returned to his lodging house. Hearing someone around his premises, the business man referred to got up and, taking tho revolver with him in case of necessity, went out into the street. The time was then after midnight, but everything was quiet. He joined Constables Jones and Marine. 5 and they commenced an all night vigil of the house in which Blackburn lodged. Just at. daybreak, according to the police. Blackburn emerged and entered tho yard of one of the other lodging houses, when ho was discovered by the constables. He was still armed tut' in spite of this the constables effected a smart arrest and managed to convey their captive to the rolls, Blackburn, who is a powerfully built man, gave the police some trouble before he was eventually overpowered. He presented a dishevelled appearance when he stepped into the dock to answer the charge of drunkenness, upon which he was remanded for a week.