SHOT BY A BURGLAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6049, 4 October 1887, Page 2

SHOT BY A BURGLAR.

*» . — An Oid Tasmanian Convict. [FROM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT.} (Per s.s. Waihora, at the Bluff.) INVERCARGILL, Oct. 3. An old and oft-convicted criminal, I named Christie Farrel, who was surprised I along with two suspected persons, in a house in George street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, by the detective police, offered a most desperate resistance to his arrest, and fired a revolver point blank at Detective-Ser-geant Nixon, at a distance of a few paces. The shot struck the officer on the right Bide, but though it pierced hiß clothes it did not penetrate the flesh, owing to the fortunate circumstance that it encountered a thick bundle of papers and photographs and a leather case in the inside pocket of his coat. Detective Nixon sprang upon Farrel instantly, and with the assistance of Detective-Sergeant Ward, overpowered him before he could fire again. The revolver, which he wore in a belt round his body, was found to be loaded in three chambers. Two men, Coleman and Cohen, were also found in the place, and were arrested without resistance. A complete set of burglars' tools, and a quantity of articles believed to be the produce of a robbery, were found in the place. The men were lodged in the watch-house, several charges being entered against them, besides the serious one of shooting with intent to murder. Farrel appeared quite indifferent, and said he did not care, as he had nothing to live for. His age is sixty, and his appearance deceptive, for he wears a long grey beard, and looks like a quiet tradesman or something of that kind ; but his career has been a truly criminal one. He is an old Tasmanian convict, and has spent about 35 years in the prisons of these Colonies. As earlyas 1859 he wasarrested at Heathcote-f or robbery underarms. When he was arrested he had a loaded weapon under his pillow. On that occasion he received ten years, after attempting to escape from KUmore Gaol, where he was confined awaiting trial. Subsequently he went to New South Wales, where he has since served a number of sentences. He was only discharged from Darlinghurst Gaol, Sydney, about six months ago. Farrel was arrested as a criminal illegally at large in Victoria.