THE WANGANUI SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1929, Page 6

THE WANGANUI SENSATION

NIGHT SIEGE OF SHOP. MAN KEEPS POLICE AT BAY FOR HOURS. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] WANGANUI, Jan. 3. Locking himself in a sweets shop after he had assaulted the proprietress a man named George Allen, who was armed with a fully loaded double-bar-relled shot gun, held the Wanganui police at bay for some hours last evening. An attempt was made to dislodge Allen with ammonia fumes and during the operation a dull thud was heard. When the fumes cleared, it was found that Allen had shot himself. When the picture theatres closed the already largo crowd was supplemented. Many took up vantage points on an elevation in Cook’s Gardens. Allen continued to hold the police at bay. He talked freely through a side window and still Iconl (lie gun handy. He threatened to shoot if any one attempted to enter. The hours went by with Allen still in possession of the shop. He had digested himself of his coat, and vest and seated himself near the side window and no amount of coaxing on the part 'of the police and friends would induce him to surrender. He threatened to shoot the first man who entered the shop and entry could only Jbe made l>v means of the front. As Allen was a first class man with a gun, having spent years as a bushman, it would have lieen sudden death for any police officer to have attempted, to enter. Later in the evening he ran short of matches and asked the police for some. He commanded them to stand hack and place the match box on tlu window sill. He then opened the window slightly, grabbed the matches and closed it again quickly. “T know that you are up to something,” lie remarked. “What scheme are you devising?” “Bo a sport, George, and give yourself iip,” said a police officer. “You have done very little harm.” George, however, was not having any. “You bring Sergeant Lopdci’ along bore,” he replied, “and I will show you what I will do with him.” A section of the crowd who were looking for sensation began to get impatient and asked all manner of questions why the police did not force an entry.

In the meantime, Allen was doing no harm inside the shop, and as some of the police were armed, the front portion of the shop was well covered. The only danger lnj' in his opening the door and firing on the crowd in the street, for it was with difficulty they were induced to stand hack. Several times he left his seat by the window and, went into the front shop to have a* look out.

Til the meantime the police had a consultation with Superintendent AA’illiams of the fire. brigade and it was decided to use ammonia. Some delay took place in obtaining a supply from the Imlay Freezing Works, but eventually a big cylinder fully charged was, brought along. One of the fire brigade engines was brought from tile station and placed in position outside the front of the shop, and hoses wore run out to he used in case of emergency. Preparations were made to pierce the wall of the shop opposite the right-of-way to insert a spray pipe.

Detective 'Revell, who had been keeping constant watch at the front, took up a position near the fire engine with In's revolver ready for emergency, for. by this time, Allen became very restive as he knew now that the police meant business. Detective AA'alsh made another attempt to persuade Allen to come out but lie was fully determined not to do so. Shortly before midnight all was ready, and at' a given signal the firemen took up their stations and the spraying of ammonia was commenced. Allen rushed into the front of the shop and a second or so later those in the vicinity heard the report of a gun and it was then very obvious to the police that Allen had carried out his threat to take his life sooner than surrender. D KTECTJA'E G A SSED. The pungent aroma of ammonia filled the air and a few minutes elapsed before the front door could be forced . A fireman tried to enter on his hands and knees hut was forced back owing to the fumes.

Detective Walsh procured a gas mask and went into the shop and found the lifeless body of Allen near the counter, but the detective was overcome with the fumes before he could get, the body out of the shop. The detective was taken in a niotflr to a doctor, but on arrival there, had recovered. AVhen the body was brought to the footpath it was seen that the side of Allen’s face had been blown away. A section of the crowd closed in, hut a threat' that the fire hose would he applied soon drove them back to a safe distance. The hour of midnight struck and the tragedy having ended, the crowd began to melt away. Alany, in their excitement, had forgotten that the trams and buses had ceased running, and an unsatisfied demand set in for taxis, but sufficient drivers were not on duty to accommodate all, and many had long walks to their homes. STRUCK WITH THE GUN. Mrs AYithey had only left her home

a few minutes before the assault. Allen was evidently in waiting for her arrival at the w sweet shop, which she was in the habit of opening up during the evenings. It is surmised that as soon as she stepped inside she was struck three violent blows on the head with the gun which Allen had wrapped up and was carrying. Mr Arthur Gaskin, custodian of the Opera House, who was passing at the time, saw .Mrs Withcv, with her face covered with blood, crawling from the doorway of the shop into St. Hill Street. She appealed to him for assistance, and lie lost no time in taking her over to the Opera House.

Screams were heard by operators in tile telephone exchange and the supervisor immediately telephoned to the police. Drs Wall and Hutchison were also summoned, and gave immediate attention to Mrs Withey, who was removed to hospital. It was necessary later in the evening to perform an operation in case ol splinteied hone pressing on the brain, and Mrs Withey came through this all right, and before midnight it was reported she was progressing satisfactorily. ALLEN WELL KNOWN. Allen, who was Ihirty-wo years ol age, was well known in Wanganui. Some time ago he had been very friendly with Mrs Withey, and had various transactions with her in connection with tea rooms on the football grounds at Spriggciis Park, aim also i'u Cook’s Gardens, The friendship ceased, but he continued to molest her, and followed this tin by smashing a plate glass window of her shop in October last;. On October 4 lie was before the Com t on this charge, and promised to leave for work in the country and not molest Mrs Withey further. About this time Allen also placed a large quantity of gelignite in the tea stall at Spriggens Park, but later removed it to a stall in Cook’s Gardens, where it was discovered by some boys who were playing in the locality. His explanation at the time was that he intended to go on a bush contract, and that he placed the gelignite out of the way there for safety puiposes. Tie md also written threatening letters. Allen was also the chief witness in a sheep-stealing charge a little over a /ear ago at Maxwell, which cause-1 a sensation locally. He had been employed by a farmer as a bushman, and gave evidence against his "employer, who was acquitted by the iury. KEPT THE GUN HANDY. i ast evening, while conversing through the window, he said he had had a lew drinks earlier in the evening, but to those who saw him he showed no signs of intoxication. He answered any questions put to him. and was very much alert, as shown by his quick, active movements. He kept the gun handy all the time, and had a string attached to the trigger so that he could take his own life in ease of emergency. Senior-Sergeant Lopdell informed a reporter that about the time of the : lin ton sheep-stealing '■•barge, and since then, friends of Allen had noticed a peculiarity in bis manner. He was inclined to brood over matters. An ex-member of the “Herald” staff, who saw active service ivith Allen in the Seventh Expeditionary Reinforcement, describes him as a brave soldier, and a man who could not do enough for bis mates, and who was fearless in raiding parties. “In fact, at that time,” added the informant, “he was a soldier one would go anywhere with.”