Horrible Tragedy.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3575, 31 July 1890, Page 2

Horrible Tragedy.

1 COfiSTAtLE MMERH). The Murderer Shoi Down.

[By Teleorapu ]

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION)

Auckland, Wednesday. A dreadful'murder took place this morning between Uolve and one o'clock at Kaipara, when Constable Neil McLeod was shot dead, He was leaving Dargaville district for Auckland to take up his duties elsewhere,, and embarked' on tho steamer Minuio Casey at midnight, On arriving at Mangawhare half a mile down tho Waii'oa river. Captain Sanson found a passenger Pained Robert Funko ashore using indecent and brandishing a gun about another, The constable on board retained the gun. On the steamer leaving the wharf again, Funko, who had a revolver on lum, commenced firing from the wharf. The first shot penetrated Constable McLeod's heart, He exclaimed "My God I" and expired at once. The steamer immediately put "back. Tlio Dargaville residents iiruicd thomselves, and'found the murderer still on the wharf, They called upon him to throw up his arms, but lie refused, A charge of shot was fired at liim, hitting him in tho body. He was then taken prisoner and conveyed to the lockup, fhe prisoner narrowly escaped lynching, Tito deceaaocl wan highly respected in the district, and was the reoipiont of a testimonial on his leaving. He was ut prominent Mason, and was about 40 years of age. Groat excitement prevails in Dargaville.

■ . Later. After his arrest; Funcke made the following statement 11 1 paid my passage, and tliey took my caps from me, so I shot him, as my life depended on my caps. I know my l(fe is forfeited. It ifj a pity they did nol drop me, is now they will have the pleasure of hanging me, My life is of now value to .anyone,' | shot the man because ! tiioiiglit Jio was the captaiq, B[e took my gun, and I cannot live without it, I shoot birds with it, and got my-food .by ,it."' At the liiqiinat on McLeod'a body a vertliofc of,, wilful murder was returned agajjjfcti Fnncke. : '