SENSATIONAL SHOOTING CASE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Issue XX, 20 June 1892, Page 2

SENSATIONAL SHOOTING CASE.

The Sydney Morning Herald of. the Bth instant gives the following parti, culara of the extraordinary shootmg case in a railway carriage in New South Wales reported by cable a week ago: — A sensational incident occurred on Saturday afternoou in a tram between Redfern and Eveleigh stations. The event caused much alarm to those who witnessed it. It appears that Mr Thomas Walker, ML. A., for Northumberland, and a friend, Mr Newstead, were travelling to Eockdale by a Hurtsville train, which left Redfern shortly after two o'clock. In the same carriage were the 'Rev. David Laseron, incum6ent of St. George's Church (Church of England). Glenmore Eoad, Paddio&ton, and Mr George Read, of the General Post Office, who were proceeding to Sandringham. The four were in a firstclass American car, and the former two were sitting together directly behind the seats upon which the latter two sat, face to face. Just as the train moved from Kedfera Mr Laseron exchanged seats with Mr Read, as he did not like travelling with his back to the engine. This move placed him in front of Messrs Walker and Newstead. A few minutes after the train left the station a loud report waß heard in the carriage, and the passengers started to their feet, fearing some misfortune had befallen the train. At the same instant Mr Laseron started forward and uttered a cry, " Oh, I have been shot in the back." It was then seen that Mr Walker was holding a revolver in his hand, and smoke was issuing out of the muzzle of the weapon. The train reached Eveleigh station soon afterwards, and Mr Bead called for assistance. Porter Laing entered the car and assisted in securing the revolver from Mr Walker. Mr Walker was greatly excited by drink, and when the porter was putting him out of the traiu he struggled most violently, In the meantime Mr Read had hailed a cab and drove Mr Laseron to the Prince Alfred Hospital. The police were informed of the occurrence, and when Sergeant Vane, and Constable Christian arrived at the station they found Walker fighting and struggling with porters, and in the midst of a large concourse of people. They arrested him, but had great difficulty in bringing him to the Redfern lockup. At the police station he was charged with having been drunk and disorderly at Eveleigh railway station while open to tbe

public, and with having iDflicted grievous bodily harm upon David Laseron. la the lockup Mr Walker continued his violent manner, but later he sobered down. On the chargesheet he gave his age as 34. years ; occupation, journalist ; and residence Railway-street Rockdale. The revol-

ver was a small " British Bulldog " of six chambers, five of which were loaded. On examination it was found that the bullet had before striking Mr Laseroa passed through the hack of the seat. This would not cause much resistance to the bullet, as the seat is merely of leather covered with a thin layer of horsehair. Tbe bullet after passing through the back of the seat, passed through Mr Laseron's clothes and entered his body beneath the shoulder blade, and took a downward course into the muscles of the back, where it remained. O»ving to the low state of the injured gentleman's health, consequent upon the nervous strain of his mind, no operation has yet been performed, but the locality of the bullet was ascertained. The wound is not considered dangerous, but there is always the possibility of blood-poisoning setting in. Mr Laseron is, however progressing favourably. Yesterday morning Mr Walker was very weik from the effects of his intoxication on Saturdayy and Dr Gwynue- Hughes had to revive him with medicine. Mr Walker states that he remembers nothing of the occurence, and Le appeared, distressed at what he had done.

Thomas Walker was returned to the Legislative Assembly as the senior member for Northumherland at the last general election. Mr Walker assisted Joseph Symes in the atheist lectures, which were delivered last year in Sydney, and he has been prominently identified atheistical movements in the city.

Mr Mexted, who speaks out of the fulness of a life-long experience, says that he believes a good deal of the blame laid upon New Zealand pastures should be more properly ascribed to the lack of salt in the feed. Mr Mexted enforces his argument by practical example. Nowhere in New Zealand, he says are there better sheep to be seen than on the Paikakariki hills, where the feed is of the roughest and poorest description. This he considered due to abundance of salt in the herbage. Another speaker said the best authorities had proved that if cows were regjolarly supplied with salt a gain of 17 per cent in quantity was obtained, with a commensurate increase m quality. Will our farmers take Mr Mexted's hint ?— Pahiatua Star.

Garlick and Cranwell have just issued the most complete Illustrated Furnishing Book Catalogue that has been published in the colony. It will prove especially convenient for country settlers, storekeepers and others about to furnish. lUnstrations are given of hall, drawing, j dining and bedroom furniture. Young people! about to marry will find it a great assistance in | making up their list and estimating cost of furnishing. It also shows how a 3 roomed house can be furnished for £17 10 0; four rooms for £38; five rooms for £80 ; and six room for £150. Full particulars of bedding, iron bedsteads and general furnishing goods. You will not do better than furnish from Garlics: & Cbakwell, Queen St, Auckland. .Every description of letterpress printing is executed in first-class style at the office of the paper. Seep the money in the place by having I your printing done here.— Advt. | "Rough o» Eats."— Clears out rats, mice roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, infects, skunks jack-rabits, sparrows, gophers, At chemists an 4 <}rug£ist«.