GEMMELL'S CROSSING SHOOTING CASE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 177, 16 April 1918, Page 6

GEMMELL'S CROSSING SHOOTING CASE

PARTICULARS OF THE AFFRAY NO PROVOCATION FOR THE ATTACK •THE ASSAILANT STILL AT LARGE By Telegraph—Press Association. Oamaru, April 15. From what has been disclosed regarding the sensational shooting affray which occurred last evening at Gemmell'e Crossing, it appears that a young man who had been camping at the place visited a house in the neighbourhood, and asked for a candle, but the boy who responded could give only a piece of candle, and the caller, who was under the influence of drink, replied that he would nob bother, lit a cigarette, and went away. He next called at the house of George Burke, and asked for milk. His request was complied with, and the man went away, but returned, and asked for clean linen rags. Burke went to .get these, and on his return to the kitchen door, where the man was standing, without any provocation the man fired n.fc him, the shot taking effect through the right breast, passing through the body, and coming out below the shoulder.

Miss Burke, a visitor to the house, ran to her brother's assistance,'and received four shots, the third being in the lungs. Mrs. Bambury, another sister, who was standing, in the passage, received a bullet in the fleshy part of the left hip. Mrs. Burke, who came forward with a baby in her arms, is also said to have been fired at, but she was not hit. The whole affair occurred in a few seconds. ..The alarm was given by Mrs. Burke to Mr. Thyne, a neighbour, a quarter of a mile away, and a message was sent to Totara to 'telephone to the police. ■

Sergeant Stagpoole and Constables Palmer and Montgomery went out to Hie scene of the tragedy about 0.30 p.m.', accompanied by JJr. Hargreavee. Before their arrival the assailant had decamped. It was seen at once by those wlio witnessed the shooting that Mr. tturke was grievously wounded, and the unfortunate man expired bet'oru lnwlical attennou cuuld be obtained.

The two young- women, one of whom is very seriously wouuded, were biougut intu the Oamaru Hospital early this morning. lt is believed that un automatic revolver was used. The hoiue provides evidence of wild ehootiug, a number o£ bullet-holes being eeen in the door and .the wall.

Assisted by police reinforcements from Dunedin, under Superintendent Wright, the local police carried out a close search of the dense gorso.and thick scrub along the Kakanui Kiver bed. The surrounding district country roads and farm buildings have been thoroughly searched, but no clue has been eecured. Late this afternoon the searchers tired the thick undergrowth in the vicinity, but no sign of the man sought was found.

George Burke, who was fatally shot, was thirty-nine years of age, and the youngest son of the late Ooleman Burke, of Dunedin. Deceased was tending a. farm while his brothers were away at the war. The fatal bullet, pierced Burke's right hand, entered his breast, and lacerated the lung. It practically severad the vena cava, and passed out of the body through the spinal column. Burke stiggerod to a sofa and died almost immediately. The condition of Miss Burke is grave. She has a bullet v.ound iu the lung, and was hit in the arms. Mrs. Bambury, the widowed sister (if deceased, is not dan-

gerously wounded. An inquest on Burke will be opened tomorrow. • '