EXTRAORDINARY SHOOTING CASE AT AUCKLAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1878, 12 August 1874, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY SHOOTING CASE AT AUCKLAND.

The Auckland "Herald" of July 27 ; states : — A very extraordinary and uu--1 proked attempt attempt at assassination W&ras made on Saturday afternoon, in Grey street, upon Mr Henry Davison, clerk to Mr Young, butcher. The person who attempted this gross outrage was a middleaged man, named Alexander Harrower , Finlay, a miner from Coromandel, but who has formerly occupied a better position in, society. The intended victim was engaged at the time in book-keeping in Mr Young's counting-house. Finlay passed by the window, and presenting a Colt's five-chamber revolver, fired at Mr Davison's head. The shot having gone through the plate-glass struck the railing of the desk where Mr Davison was he work. The bullet glanced off and hitt at wall. The assailant immediately discharged another barrel of the weapon, taking deliberate aim, and standing only a yard distance away. The shot penetrated the wall, and must have passed within half -an- inch of Mr Davison's head, and it is miraculous that he thus escaped being killed after such almost deadly aim had been taken. Finlay then walked coolly away, but had not proceeded far when he was overtaken by Constable Mooney, who, being close at hand, was apprised of the outrage. On being accosted by the police constable, he at once admitted the offence, and handed to the constable his revolver. It was found, on examination, to have the three remaining chambers still loaded with ball cartridges. The man was taken into custody, and merely remarked that he considered he had done only what was , r right. At the police station he appeared ' perfectly rational, and readily answered all questions put to him. He has resided in the Colony for nearly 20 years, and has been regarded as a steady, quite, in- . offensive and sober man. He was formerly in the Life Guards, and is well connected. On being searched at the station a sum of L 57 was found in his possession. Davison and he were acquainted with each other at Coromandel, the former having been in business as a butcher in Kapanga Lower Township. No ill-feeling or animosity existed between them, and

n © motive can be ascribed for the crime* excepting that it was done in a sudden fit of insanity.