MURDER AT SYDNEY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1933, Page 5

MURDER AT SYDNEY

SHOT BY BANDITS TWO YOUNG MEN CHARGED. (Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, June 26. Considerable interest is being taken in the l inquest a.s to the de th of John '-Rowland, who wa s shot dead by motor bandits when lie was returning from ia Masonic meeting on May ' 'lsth. The detectives -have •been set -a most difficult ta.sk, as nobody saw the occurrence, though people thought they heard cries of distress a-t midnight at Bondi, nea r the victim’s home. The recovery of a revolver however, gave the police the first clue, and later two men were arrested under sensational circumstances whe, n speeding on the Parramatta Road, a police car finally overtalcing them. Before the Coroner to-day Claude Wallace, aged twenty-four, and _ Er-'c Newlyn, aged 26, were charged with Rowlands murder. Giving evidence in the ease Detective Macßao produced a statement in which Wallace admitted having shot Rowlands who had refused to hand over his money, and told him “to go to the devil,” and also attacked him with a suitcase. Wallace said that he did not intend to shoot.- ' He inadvertently pressed the trigger. He was unaware that the safety catch had beeri released.

Wallace declared that Newlyn was not /connected with -the shooting. He. 'remained at the wheel of the c-a?. the whole time. The inquiry wa 6 adjourned until Wednesday.