SHOT DEAD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 758, 5 March 1910, Page 5

SHOT DEAD.

TRAGEDY IN THE CITY A BAILIFF USES A REVOLVER. FATAL END TO A DISPUTE. ACCOUNTS OF EYE-WITNESSES A fatal affray took place in Pipitea Street early last evening, in which a private bailiff, named Robert Corkill, shot dead Christopher Denis Smith, • one of the occupiers of, house No. 60, Pipitea Street.

It appears that Corkill, who is described by those who have had dealings with him as a quiet, inoffensive, and decently-behaved man, had been instructed by Messrs. J. B. Harcourt and Co., acting for the owners, to take possession of the house in which-' Smith was a boarder. Corkill went' about his duty at six o'clock last evening, but his entrance was resisted by Smith, who answered the door. Corkill insisted on asserting his authority, whereupon there was an argument and a disturbance, during which Corkill was hustled to the front gate of the premises. Thero the two men were seen by more than one witness arguing and gesticulating on the footpath, until Smith was seen to strike Corkill to the ground with a blow. SHOT THROUGH THE HEART. On rising Corkill drew a revolver from his pocket and shot Smith through the heart. The latter limped into his own gateway, pressing both hands to his abdomen, staggered down the side-path, and fell dead near the door.

According to witnesses, who were attracted by the. sound of the revolver shot, Corkill made no attempt to leave the scene of tho tragedy. As a little knot of people gathered round, .he walked about in an agitated manner, holding one hand up to the side of his face. He is said to have asked SMieone to send for a doctor, and when two or three persons joined the crowd: he asked them individually if they were doctors. No one immediately attempted to arrest the man, who was still in possession of a revolver, which Corkill had returned to his pocket after firing. When Dr. Izard did arrive, Corkill is said to ; have walked quietly away down, Eipitca Street, leaving the crowd'wondering what it should do under such queer circumstances.

HOW CORKILL WAS ARRESTED. Edward Alexander, who, is in the employ of H. Powriall, cycle manufacturer, on Lambton Quay, states that he was one of the crowd , who was attracted' to the scene of the "tragedy shortly after 6 o'clock last evening. When he reacheij the scene, the .'body . of. .Smith was lying, where he had fallen inside the gate, and Corkill was walking about in an agitated manner with one hand up to the side of his face. No .one liked, the idea of rush-, ing him as he looked pretty desperate. When Corkill walked away lie deemed it was time that someone should act, and he decided to "take it on" himself. Corkill walked over to Bonnington's comer, as if to go down Molesworth Street towards the town, so he walked down qnickly, crossed to the farther side of Molesworth Street, then recrossed, and grabbed Corkill from behind. He grasped him by his wrists to prevent him getting- at his revolver, and then tripped, him up. Corkill struggled violently for a bit, and the two rolled about on .the ground, until other assistance offered, when,ho becarao quieter. They held him powerless for some six or seven-minutes, until the police put in an appearance, and carried him off to the Lambton Quay Station.

EYE-WITNESSES. Leo Cloai'y, a lad of 11 years of age, who resides at 7 Murphy Street, states that he was in Pipitea Street at about ten minutes past six ■ last evening, and saw two men come out of No.. 60, running. The man whowas shot, stated the lad, pushed the other down and gave him a thump, and the one who shot the other fell on the ground. He got up-, and pulled a revolver out of his .hip pocket, pointed it at the other, and fired and shot him, on which\ho young man ran inside towards the door at the 6ide of the house, and then dropped to the ground. "While watching what was going on the hoy was nine or ten yards away, in tho middle of the road. The men, he eaid, seemed to be growling at each other, but he did not know what they said. After he fired, the man.; with the revolver put it into his pocket and walked towards Molesworth Street, rubbing his cheek with one hand.' "YOU'D BETTER LOOK OUT." Then a crowd of people came, and the man who shot the other said he would go for a doctor, but someone grabbed him, on which tho prisoner said: "You'd better look out"; but someone else .grabbed hold of him, and one of them secured his revolver and took it away. ■ After, that they took the prisoner down the' street. . . Arthur Law (or Lord), a youngster eight years of age, who was with the boy Cleary, stated that ho saw the flash of the revolver when it was fired.

Constable Callery, who, with Detective Cameron, removed the body, searched it, and found 3s. lOd. in cash, a silver hunting watch, and a summons dated Blenheim, January 5 (set. down for hearing on March 3), charging the; deceased with being on licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition - order.. He received the revolver from those who had removed it from tho prisoner, and found'it to be loaded in four chambers, and one cartridge still remained in the fifth chamber. The revolver had been fired recently.' The body was found lying near the front door of the house in a side passage, and, when examined by Dr. Izard, who had been summoned, was pronounced to be dead, death having been caused.by'a shot through the heart. . "A BIT OF A BARNEY." Arthur Findlay, trainer for George' Smith, at Miramar, states that he left tho Metropolitan Hotel at a few minutes past G last evening bythe Pipitea Street entrance. He'Baw a couple of men—an old and a young one—having "a bit of a barney" down the street, but took no particular notice until he heard a revolver shot, and saw the younger man pressing his hands to his stomach as lie walked down tho street, and then turned into a gateway out of sight. He could not say that ho saw the young man strike the- other, but they. both seemed very excited, and were waving their arms about a good deal. The old man appeared to be beside himself a bit, and wanted to know if anyone had sent for a doctor, and asked one man who turned up if ho was a doctor. THE DECEASED. The deceased was for some years an omployee of tho firm of Messrs. Warnock and Adkin. He left tho firm and went to Blenheim, where he entered into business with his brother, a draper. Some time ago they dissolved partnership, and deceased started there in business on his

own account. About a month ago dfr ceascd gave up business in Blenheim and came across to ' Wellington.' He was employed again ljy Messrs. Warnock and Adkin, and left" that firm on Monday lost. His brother is still in business ia Blenheim, and deceased's wife is supposed to bo residing there at the present time. The deceased served in the South African war. The house in which Smith resided in Pipitea Street was let to a Miss Smith, ~ who, the police were informed last evening, was at present in Manukau. It was not quite clear last evening if Mis 3 Smith is a relative of the deceased. Corkill is a man over 60 years. When asked by the police last night whether they could send a message to anyono on . his behalf, he stated that he was unmarried and had no relatives in Netf • Zealand. •

CHARGE OF MURDER. Corkill will be formally charged with the murder of Smith before the stipen diary magistrate this morning. Fol lowing the usrial course, the 'police will ask for an adjournment, pending tha inquest which will be held at the morgue at 11 a.m. to-day.

BAILIFFS AND FIREARMS. One notable feature of last evening's fatal affray was that Corkill, who t>ux- ' sues the calling of a private ■ bailiff, should have been caTrying a revolver. The duties of a bailiff are not very pleasant, and it would possibly occur to many to wonder whether bailies had any special warrant to carry firearms. The question was put to Inspector Ellison last night, the answer given being that a bailiff has no more right to carry firearms than any other member of the community.