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Temuka Leader, Issue 2527, 11 July 1893, Page 3

A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY. A very sad shooting affray which resulted in the death of Mr W. G. Spreat, occurred at Wellington on Saturday afternoon. Mr Spreat, who was in the Government Survey Department for many years, where he had the reputation of being an excellent draughtsman, retired from the Public Service some years ago, and was believed to be of independent means. He resided in Pirie street with his two step-sons, named Sanderson. Lately Mr Spreat had suffered greatly from epilepsy, and in consequence became of irritable temperament, and times most eccentric J . ‘ IS B< ? me ’ On Saturday - iQ behaviour luno v ’ * j afternoon, shortly after ~ no had words with his step-sons over the cleaning up of the footpaths about the house, and the latter, who noticed the conduct of deceased, telephoned for police assistance, but unfortunately the shooting took place before the police arrived, but they were on their way there at the time. It appears that Spreat, finding that the young men were not desirous of executing his order, threatened them with violence, and seizing a poker and knife chased his stepsons through the house, both up and down stairs. One of the Sandersons, seeing that their step-father was in earnest, attempted to disarm him with a blow on the arm with a baton, but the latter broke, and ho and his brother fled into their bedroom, when Spreat, finding ho was unable to get in, turned the key, thus cutting off their means of egress so far as the door was concerned. The Sander -

sous, however, by means ofj a ladder, escaped into the grounds, when Spreat renewed the attack. Louis Sanderson rushed uu the ladder and again got into the bedroom, followed by Spreat. The former secured a Martini-Henry rifle, which was lying in the bedroom loaded, and warned the deceased not to advance. Spreat, however, continued his antics, and waving the knife over his head, approached young Sanderson who,fired at him. The ball entered the body just about the groin and went out at the back. Spreat fell. Medical aid was sought, and at first it was thought that the wound was not serious, but he gradually sank, though Dr Collins and Dr Fell were unremitting in their attention. At halfpast 5 o’clock Inspector Pender took the depositious of the deceased, who gradually sank and died at about a quarter past,-11 o’clock the same night. Deceased was about 62 years of age, and was well known and highly respected in the city. He took a prominent part in musical circles. Spreat has a brother resident in Nelson. Louis Sanderson, the young man who fired the fatal shot, is well known in the city, and is occupying a good position in an office. He was arrested on a charge of wounding with intent, though a more serious charge may now be preferred m view of the death of Spreat. Spreat in his dying depositions admitted that ho himself was to blame over the matter, and he freely forgave his step-sons. The police naturally are reticent over the matter, but hope to clear up affairs at the inquest. A number of friends were anxious to bail Sanderson, but the magistrate refused to receive it.