TRAGEDY NEAR OAMARU.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1918, Page 4

TRAGEDY NEAR OAMARU.

A MAS AND HIS SISTERS SHOT. AN UNPROVOKED ASSAULT. POLICE HUNTING 101 l MURDERER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oaniaru, Lust Night A sensational shooting ail'ray occurred last evening at Gemmell's crossing, on the Kakanui river, about seven miles from Oaniaru, a favorite camping ground for anglers.

From what is disclosed it appears that a young man, who had been camping at .the place, visited a house in the neighborhood and asked for a candle, but the hoy who responded could give only a .piece of candle, and the caller, who was under the influence of drink, replied he would not bother. He lit a cigarette and went away,' Tie next called at a house occupied by George Burke and asked for milk. The request being complied with, the man went away, but afterwards 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, and without any provocation, the man fired at liim, the sliAt taking effect through the right breast below the nipple, passing through the body and coming out below the shoulder. Miss Burke, a' visitor to the house, ran to hev brother's assistance, and she received four shots, the third being in the lungs.

Mrs. Bambury, another sister, standing in the passage, received a bullet in the fleshy part of her left Jiip. Mrs. HiAc, who came forward with a baby in her arms, is also said to have been fired at, hut she was not hit. The whole affair occurred in a few seconds. The alarm was given by Mrs. Burke to Mr. Thyne, a neighbor a quarter of a mile distant, and a messenger was sent to Totara to telephone for tlie policeSergeant Stagpoole and Constables Palmer and Montgomery -went out to the scene of the tragedy about 9.30 p.m , accompanied by Dr. Hargrcaves. Before their arrival the assailant had decamped. It was segn at once by those who witnessed the shooting that Burke was grievously wounded, and the unfortunate man expirdd before medical attention sould be obtained. The two women, one of whom is very seriously wounded, were brought into Oamaru hospital early this morning. It is believed that an automatic revolver was used. The house provides evidence of the wild shooting, a number of bullet holes being seen in the door and wall. Though the identity of the murderer is not established, he is believed to be a s »ldier who recently returned from the front. He was camping m the -neighborhood for some time, and his conduct created the assumption that ho was not quite i-ight in his mind. He had been drinking a good deal, and is believed to be a drinker of methylated spirits. A large body of police are scouring the surrounding country, which is thickly covered with gorse and broom. Xo trace lias been found of the murderer up to the time of the latest report.