Murder at Masterton.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 98, 11 June 1895, Page 3

Murder at Masterton.

Mastekton, June 6.

A man named Andrew J. Somerville deliberately shot at and killed another man named Arthur Herbert, in Queen Street this afternoon. Somerville had been working for Herbert, and a dispute regarding a claim for £l9 for wages, occupied the S.M. Court this morning, the case being adjourned (or a fortnight. Somerville, on leaving the Court about midday, purchased a six chambered revolver, and about four o’clock was seen talking to Herbert outside the Club Hotel, several persons being in the street at the time.

Suddenly he drew the revolver, and saying “ Take that,” fired a shot, which entered Herbert’s body in the region of the heart. The latter threw up his arms, and, turning round, staggered across the road. Somerville fired two more shots at him, and Herbert fell dead, the bystanders scattering in all directions.

Constables Collerton and Nestor, who were within 50 yards of the scene, rushed upon the murderer, and secured him. The former took away the revolver, which, on examination, proved to have three remaining chambers loaded.

Somerville made no resistance, and remarked that he would go quietly. Somerville is single. Herbert is an old settler. The other had been working on several contracts in the district, and was generally looked upon as a quiet man. The affair has caused no little sensa : tion here.

(Times Correspondent.) Herbert was known as a quiet inoffensive man.

He was about 50 years of age, and was a contractor at Herbertville, where he leaves a large family. Somerville is a man about 40 years of age.

He had been working for Herbert at Herbertville, and afterwards in the Akitio district.

He is about six feet in height, of stout build and of steady habits.

, For some months he has been surfaceman to the Akitio Road Board, and has been regarded as a very industrious workman, though possessed of a somewhat hasty temper.

Somerville has been committed for trial.