N.Z. Man Shot In Melbourne

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 13

N.Z. Man Shot In Melbourne

(A.Z Press Association—Copyright)

MELBOURNE. June 17.

A New Zealand-born hairdresser, Mr J. Liddel. aged 48. formerly of Napier, was critically wounded by a gunman in Melbourne yesterday.

Mr Liddel, who served with the New Zealand forces during World War 11. came to Melbourne some years ago and is proprietor of a fashionable women’s hairdressing salon He was one of the organisers cf a function a group of New Zealand former servicemen he'd for the All Blacks after yesterday’s game Three women have given the police a description of the gunman Mr Liddel underwent an emergency operation in the Royal Melbourne Hospital last night H : s wife and daughter aged seven, live in the Melbourne suburb of Surrey Hills Gnnmin Surprised Mr Liddel surprised the gunman when he ooened the salon and walked in with his assistant and ’wo women customers As Mr Liddel ooened the door he saw a satchel containing salon goods on the

floor "Whose satchel is that?" he asked A man. waving a pistol at the four people, said: “It’s mine.” Mr Liddel flung himself at the gunman. The struggle went on into the passage outside. The women then heard two shots from the passage When *hey ran outside, they found Mr Liddel bleeding on the floor One of the bullets passed through his hand and entered his chest, just missing his heart, and the other entered his leg The gunman ran down the single flight of steps into Collins street and escaped The gunman left behind the satchel which Mr Liddel had noticed Police opened it and found it contained women’s electric shavers, hand clipoers. scissors, comb* b-ushes. safe keys, and Mr Liddel’s shoes They found that the man had entered the shop by forcing a back window.