THE WANGANUI SENSATION.
ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT.
COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
At the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Robert Gilmour Allen and Edward Donovan, who were arrested in Thomson’s grocer's shop on the night of Sunday, May 8, under dramatic circumstances, came before Mr. Watson, S.M., on charges of breaking and entering the premises of J. O. Thomson and Coy. and discharging firearms, William R. Thomson said he visited the shop in the Avenue on Sunday afternoon and found in the crockery room drawers from the office, with the contents scattered. He noticed that the brass plate from the keyhole of the safe had been removed. He told his brother on going to the latter’s place for tea. They both returned to the shop and found the back door open. Witness stopped in the right of way while his brother went for the police. Witness saw two young men passing down the Avenue, and heard a low whistle. Witness moved from his position to behind the shop. He saw the two men come down the right of way and try the back door. They slid it open and walked in and closed it after them. Constables Roger Wilson and O’Donoghue then arrived with witness’s brother. Witness and his brother went to the front and the police stayed at the back 1 . Witness saw a light and heard voices inside. He heard the expression “Hands up .or I’ll shoot.” Witness unlocked the door and his brother went inside. (Laughter). He saw his brother covered with a revolver by one of the accused. He heard Donovan say: “Move and I’ll shoot.” The light was then switched off. Witness heard a movement in the shop, and considered it wise to lock the door after calling for his brother to come out. When Allen rushed for the front door he* put his foot through the glass panel, then his hand with a revolver in it appeared. When Allen got through the door they closed with him, and as they did so the revolver went off. They held until the police arrived shortly afterwards with Donovan in custody. John Alexander Thomson, grocer, said that he was with his brother at the shop until 5 p.m. on the Saturday. When witness returned to the shop next evening he went to the police station and got Constable O’Donoghue, who was later joined by Constable Wilson.
“Move, and pll fire.”
When witness entered the shop he saw Donovan standing behind the counter, who presented a revolver and said: “Move, and I’ll fire.” Witness dodged behind the cash register, and picked up a weapon of defence. He expected Donovan to come round the corner of the counter, but the latter did not do so, and he realised that he was going the other way. When his brother opened the door witness got outside. Witness heard shots and a struggle inside the shop. When Allen got out the front door witness closed with him, and as he did so, the revolver went off. On the following <Wy witness found a quantity of tobacco yalued at about £35 packed up. His Worship (to accused): Any questions ? Donovan (pointing at Mr. Marshall, who prosecuted): I want to ask that chap was he there himself, seeing that he knows so much about the case. His Worship: You are not asked to be facetious.
Mrs. H. Oakley Browne, whose husband is the licensee of a local hotel, said when accused came to the hotel and asked for accommodation, Donovan gave the names as Ross and Gilmour. He said they would be there about a week, and were on a holiday from Auckland. On the Sunday they disappeared. Emily Pearce, a housemaid at the hotel, gave evidence in regard to the two accused staying there. James T. Moore, assistant employed by Messrs. Thomson, said the back door of the shop was locked before he left on the Saturday. Constable Frank O’Donnahue said Mr. J. A. Thomson came to the Police Station about 6.30 on the Sunday evening. Witness accompanied him to the shop and later they were joined by William Thomson and Constable Wilson. When Constable Wilson went into the shop he heard a strange voice call out: “Hands up or I’ll fire.” Witness heard footsteps coming to the back door. A torch light was flashed in his face. “OPEk THE DOOR, QUICK.”
Witness heard a voice say: “Hands up or I’ll fire. Open the door, quick, or I’ll shoot you dead.” Witness then went to assist Constable Wilson to arrest Donovan. When they got outside they found the Thomson brothers holding Allen down. Proceeding, witness said when Donovan was searched they found three skeleton keys. In the bedroom at the hotel they found two bunches of keys, a cold chisel, a knife, and underneath a mattress a large screw driver. They also found two envelopes containing stamps, several files, a small coil of rope, and a broken electric torch. At the shop they found two revolvers. Next day witness with Constable Wilson went to the back of the Roman Catholic Church and found a bag of pennies. Each of the accused had about 19e when searched.
Donovan: Didn’t you march in front of us with your hands up?—No. “How many shots were fired at you.” —Three.
Constable Roger Wilson’s evidence was mainly of a corroborative nature. When he went into the shop he saw two men rise up behind the counter, each with a revolver in his hand. One exclaimed: “Hands up, or I’ll shoot.” 1 Witness ducked down behind the weighing scales. As Mr. Thomson came in one of the men levelled a revolver at him and said: “Move and I’ll fire.” Witness switched off the light and Mr. Thomson got outside the front door. When the accused made for the back door witness followed them. Donovan pointed a revolver at witness, and he closed with him. As he grabbed for the revolver it was fired. A bullet grazed the index finger of his left hand and passed through his coat. He. screwed the revolver out. of Donovan’s hand, saying at the same time. “Let it go.” Donovan said: “It’s all up; I’ll go.” Witness heard three other shots fired, and boxes being knocked over. Next, morning he saw the two accused in the police cells. Donovah said: “You’ll have a piece of skin’ off your finger.” Witness said, “Wliy.” Donovan replied: “I meant it for your hand. Would it not. paralyse you if you got it there.” This was said in a half jocular way. At Thozasoa's *hop vrita&as fouad a
bullet embedded in the door s about 18 inches from the ground. Accused reserved their defence and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial.—Chronicle.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19210519.2.16
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Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 3
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1,123THE WANGANUI SENSATION. Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 3
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