CONSTABLE SHOT DEAD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2582, 2 October 1915, Page 6

CONSTABLE SHOT DEAD

ENCOUNTER WITH BURGLARS ' ' i A MELBOURNE SENSATION. Bj Tslesrajli—Press Association—Oopyrleht : (Reci October 1, 0.20 "jj'.mi) Melbourne, October 1. Thcro occurred a sensational encounter between the policp and three burglars ill .the Trades Hall, resulting in Constable M'Gratli being shot dead, and .two of the intruders, John Jackson - and Richard Buckley, being wounded.'. The constable on duty at tlio.Trades Hall had his suspicions aroused by a slight sound of sawing, and sent for assistance. A posse of police surround- • ©cl tho building, and those entering met'with a volley of revolver shots, to wliicli they replied. ; Allien the lights woro turned on, two men were seen running along the corridor. Constable M'Grath hurried along the passage, i?feero he was subsequently found in a dying condition. Two burglars then rushed for the door amid a rapid-exchange of shots between them and tlio police. Jackson was wounded in tho thigh, and had a broken, ankle, and was secured in the building. Buckley Was seriously wounded in'.the neck, and collapsed after reaching tlie yard. In, tlie .meantime the 'third burglar, named Ward, was caught attempting ,to escape through a Window. : Constable M'Gratli received tivo shots in tho breast,while, entering'.,a doorway in the corridor. Sub-Inspector M'Kenna had a narrow escapo. A burglar fired a shot which grazed him and entered the thigh of: the second burglar, Jackson; who was in tho lino of firo. Buckley and Jackson were -taken, to the Hospital,, and subsequently, with Ward, were charged with the murder of Constable M'Gratli. Tho burglars' objective was the office of the Typographical Society, whose safe,was found wrenched from its.stand, and a portion of. the steel hack sawn oft-. When interrupted tho men. were .prising it open with-.a jemmy.' . Thoro: had . heeh 'Several ■ f<fttempted : burglaries at the Trades Hall lately,' one, of which . succeeded, • and ; £400 istolen. . Since ithen, .the place had been closely watched. ' , •