Sensational Case.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 98, 24 April 1886, Page 4

Sensational Case.

'Shooting a Salvation Army Officer.

.At the Fitzroy Court, Melbourne, on April sth before Messrs Howie, Rowe, Grigg, Js. P., a young man named Edwin Angus Paget Dunkley was charged with shooting, with intent to murder, ono William Rains, a quartermaster in the Salvation Army. Tho court was thronged with spectators, the case for the prosecution being conducted by Inspector Brown, and Mr Gillott appearing on behalf of the prisoner. Constable J. J. Lnnignn stated that shortly after eight o'clock on the evening of the 31st March, while on duty in Bruns-wick-street, near the Salvation Army barracks, he heard a noise like the report of fire arms, and went to see what was the matter. He went in the direction of the barracks, and was met by a member of the Salvation Army, and from what he stated witness ran into the porch of the barracks, followed by Constable Kingston. Witness then saw the witnesses Bains and Grooves holding the prisoner, who was struggling violently to get away. Rama gave tho prisoner in charge, stating that he had fired on him with a pistol. Tho prisoner was arrested and removed to the watohhouse, and on the way thither aaid, "Ruins is the man I intended to shoot; I'll hav6 his life yet, unless lam hung." Rains was a ser-geant-major in the Salvation Army. On searching the prisoner at the watch-house a powder flask containing gunpowder, a box of caps, some,buck shot, and a revolver pouch were found: in bis pockets. The prisoner said he bought the articles cheap, and bought them for the purpose. Witness then examined the pißtol produced and found the lett barrel empty, having been recently discharged. The right barrel was loaded, and the charge being withdrawn two bullets and powder were found. Both nipples had smashed caps on. Witness

then returned to the army barracks to search for the missing bullets, and subsequently found the bullet marks in the lining boards. One bullet waa found on the door, powder, maiked. The prisoner at the time of hia airest was under the influence of drink, but not so much as not to know what he was doing. . William Rains, an officer in the Salvation Army, residing in Montague-street, Collingwood, stated that on Tuesday, the 30th March, he was spending the evening at the Salvation Army barracks, North Fitzroy. Shortly after eight o'clock he saw the prisoner misconducting himself in the hall, in company with two other lads. Witness went to where they were sitting and said to the prisoner, who was behaving very badly, * We cannot have this sort of conduct here, and if you do not behave yourself you will have to go outside." Witness then went away, but as the prisoner and his companions continued their misconduct, he again went to them and said they would have togo out. The prisoner then commenced muttering saying, "No I won't." Witness went into the seat where prisoner waa and said, " Come along out with me." Prisoner then got upand commenced feelingfor something in his left-hand coat pocket. Thinking that it was his hat that he wanted, witness mud, "There is your hat," pointing to it. Prisoner took his hat and walked to the end of the torm, and then stood and knocked against witness. As the whole meeting was upsot by this time, witness put hia hand on prisoner's shoulder to push him to tlie door, and was again pushed. Before witness had recovered from the push ho heard the click of a pistol, tho barrel of which was pressing against his left temple. The pistol was held by the prisoner. Witness then closed with the "prisoner, thinking it waa only a lurk with an empty pistol. Tho prisoner, however, kept struggling to retain his hold of tho pistol, and was eventually removed to tho porch of the main building. While in tho porch witness could sco the prisoner endeavoating to change the pistol from one hml to tho other, and suddenly it was discharged, and witness could feel the bullet pass his bg, and go into the wall of tho building. Witness called for somo one to tako the pistol from prisoner, and i just then a larrikin named Jeffries rushed out of the hall and made a spring at witness, saying, " Let him go." Witness pushed him off, and Jeffries was held on one side by another member of the Army ;named Moody, The police then put in an appearance, and prisoner was given in charge. On the way to the watchhoueo the prisoner stated that he would shoot Sergeant Dear Witness saw Foley, another member of the Army, take a revolver out of the prisoner's pocket while he waa being removed to tho watchhouae. Thomas Foley, an officor in charge of the Prison Gate Brigade of the Salvation Army, gave corroborative evidence, but stated that he did not think the prisoner had any Intention of doing any harm. John Henry Watson, a bricklayer, gave corroborative evidence of the bad conduct of the prisoner and hia companions. The prisoner, who reserved ! his defence, waa committed for trial.