Exciting Tragedy.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3611, 13 February 1906, Page 3

Exciting Tragedy.

MURDER AND SUICIDE

NUMEROUS SHOTS FIRED,

Sydney, February n.

An exciting tragedy occurred on Sunday on the main thoroughfare of Newtown, Sydney, by which a policeman lost bis life. The murderer killed himself after shooting at several of those seeking to capture him. The tragedy seems to be the outcome of kindness and charity shown by a widow named Mrs Fenwick and her family some years ago to Tommy, a native of Tauna, New Hebrides. Tommy waa allowed to occupy a detached room, and kept in food, and picked up odd jobs. Pie became -quarrelsome and threatened the family. The 'native purchased a revolver and a Winchester repeating rifle. Pie demanded £.\o, which, he said, the Fenwicks owed him. He then drew the revolver and fired at Charles Fenwick, but the weapon missed fire. Charles retreated into the house, but was followed by the infuriated native. Femvich then closed with him, and struggled for possession of the rifle, which the native was now seeking to use. A brother of Charles Fenwick came to the assistance, and got the rifle, and unloaded one cartridge, without observing that there were others in the magazine. The native rushed at the” second brother and regained the rifle, and fired point blank at the younger brother, but the weapon then missed fire. The Fenwicks then rushed into the street. At this stage two constables arrived at the scene, looking in at the front door, Constable Wallace saw the black crouching in the passage. Wallace called out, “What’s the matter, old man?” The answer was a shot, and Wallace fell shot through the abdomen. Constable Maunsell returned the fire, and the native retreated into the front room of the house. Maunsell then fired again. Several more constables had by this time arrived; one held out bis helmet a few inches beyond the door, when two shots were fired. Wallace was still alive, lying in the hall, where the Kanaka held command. Constable Charlton determined to Vescuc Wallace. He dashed in "and seized Wallace, and lifted him out, expecting at any moment to receive a shot. The nigger then locked hitnseif in the kitchen. Three constables stood with revolvers levelled while one smashed in a panel of the kitchen door. The native fired point-blank at Chadton, but missed him. He then fired two shots at Constab.e Truscott, the hullett going through his tunic. The police then fired a volley. One shot hit the nigger in the shin, and another on the thigh. Charlton pushed the door open, and the Kanaka retreated to the bathroom. Charlton following called upon him to surrender. The murderer called out something aboutt money, adding that he was going to shoot himselt. He then, fired a shot into his stomach, dying instantly, Altogether, about twenty shots were fired. W allace was found to have two shots in his abdomen, while his shoulder was shattered by a third. He died on reaching the hospital. The affair attracted an enormous crowd of people, and caused intense excitement.