ARMED CHINAMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1919, Page 5

ARMED CHINAMAN.

RUNS AMOK IN A CHURCH; FIFTEEN PEOPLE INJURED, By leleijrapli.—Press Assn.—-Copyright. Sydney, June 2. An armed Chinaman ran amok. He entered the Chinese Christian Church in the eity and lighted two small smoke boxes. When the fumes had filled the church he drew a revolver and fired Indiscriminately at the congregation. Although nobody was struck a panic ensued, and the congregation climbed through the windows on to the verandah and roof. The lunatic leaned out of the window and fired again, wounding two Chinamen and Misß Dyson, a European who was conducting the service. The noise and smoke caused an alarm of fire to be given, and the engines came quickly on tlie scene, to be- met with a fusillade of bullets, none taking effect. The madman then bolted, pursued by the crowd, on whom he turned and fired. He escaped up a lane, where he barricaded himself in a house. The police and firemen, with a searchlight, occupied a neighboring house, and a battle of revolver.-! was kept up from eight o'clock last night, as the Chinaman passessed a large quantity of ammunition. Altogether, fifteen people were wounded; ten are in hospital, and three are serious cases. The lunatic is still holding his besiegers at bay.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MANIAC SHOT DEAD. SEVENTEEN CASUALTIES. Received June 2, 6.5 p.m. Sydney, June 2. A tremendous crowd witnessed the last stagey of the Chinese siege. His refuge was a small weather-board cottage in East Street, the centre of the Chinese quarter. The police kept up a heavy fusilade with rifles and revolvers, whereto tlie man frequently replied. The fire brigade got several hoses to work, but, in attempting to secure a better position, two firemen were shot, but ndt severely injured. The siege continued till 10 o'clock, when, after pouring in great quantities of water, the police, with a sudden rush, burst the door. A civilian accompanying tliem shot the Chinaman through the head, killing him. The two firemen who were shot make the total victims 17, most of them being slightly wounded. Preparations were made to bomb the maniac out, but tie final rush made tliis) unnecessary. Press representatives, running the gauntlet of several bullets, participated in the final rnsh. SHOT BY RETURNED SOLDIER. Received June 2, 11.10 p.m. Sydney, June 2.

A returned soldier named Ryan, borrowing a police revolver, and waving aside their admonition?.' to be cautious, rushed the Chinaman, who fired two shots but mised Ryan, who with a single shot killed the desperado. The latter had kept the police at bay for fifteen lioure.