HIGHWAY ROBBERY ATTEMPTED.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9714, 9 February 1910, Page 5

HIGHWAY ROBBERY ATTEMPTED.

BANK OFFICIALS SHOT AT. ONE SEVERELY "PEPPERED/ FALSE TEETH PLATE BLOWN OUT OF THE MOUTH. By Telegraph—Press Association. HAMILTON, February 8. Word has been received in Hamilton that a bank clerk from a local bank, while proceeding to the Ohaupo stock sale with a bag cf money, was crossing Mystery Creek, when he was fired at from a clump of tea-tree, receiving a charge of shot fall in the face. A companion who was'with him drove him back to the Waikato Hospital. No further details are available.

Later. Particulars of the shooting case on the Ohaupo Road show that Mr W. L. Ward, Manager of the Hamilton branch of the Bank of Australasia, and j j\[jc Leslie Jordan, ledger keeper of | the Bank of New Zealand, were driving together in a buggy to Ohaupo, where the respective banks have receiving offices, it being customary for officials to Ohaupo on Tuesday of each week, carrying with them sums of money. Mr Ward was driving, and when in the dip of the road at what is locally known as "Mystery Creek," which is approached on either side by a somewhat steep rise, the report of a gun rang out, presumably from a clump of bushes on the left side. This was about eleven o'clock. Jordan received the charge of shot on the side of the face, neck, arm, and chest, and fell ; over against Ward, bleeding profusely. The horse immediately ran j away, but the driver succeeded in j quietening it. He then drew the revolver which he always carried on the trip, and /looked around for evidence of the origin of the shot, but none could be seen. The absence of smoke made it appear that smokeless powder was used, ward then drove to the nearest house, where first aid was rendered to Jordan. He then drove him to the Waikato Hospital, where he now lies. There seems little doubt that a deliberate attempt was made at highway robbery, and the wonder is that | both men were not, killed outright, j Ward miraculously escaped without a scratch, although he felt the concussion of air as the shots struck Jori dan, who is twenty-six years of age, and has been connected with the Hamilton ranch of the Bank of New Zealand for about two vears. His injuries are not serious, although he is literally peppered with shots, with which the gun was loaded. Fortunately the eyts are uninjured, although the force of the shot blew a false teeth plate out of his mouth. The police and civilians are now scouring [ the country.