FIRED ON HIS MATES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 August 1925, Page 9

FIRED ON HIS MATES.

’ ONE KILLED, TWO WOUNDED. SENSATIONAL SHOOTING AFFRAY. A LIFE-AND-DEATH STRUGGLE. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION -COPYRIGHT. Received Aug. 11, 1-30 p.m. MELBOURNE, Aug. 11. A sensational shooting fatality occurred at Bucchus Marsh, "hen a labourer employed at Greytsone fetation fired several shots at lus mates, kil-.i one and wounding two. r , Twelve men were working at Gieystone repairing a dam. They had fieyuently teased Thomas Ferguson, who, it is said, was a wee bit simple, yesterday Fergusson decided not to work, as he wanted to shot rabbits. He was given leave by the contractor and left camp apparently m the best of spirits. Just on knocking off time he appeared about thirty yards from the dam, dramatically waving a repeating rifle, but saying nothing. He raised it to his shoulder and pointed it at ins work mates, who., thinking he was joking, merely laughed. Ferguson pulled the trigger, and William Smith, of Prahran fell ihbrtallv wounded. Tumirig the muzzle in the direction of Charley McGowan, Fergusson fired and hit him in the shoulder. Then he shot Thomas Riddout in the arm. Ijiougn bleeding freely, Riddout rushed at Fergusson, and grappled with him in an attempt to ivrest the rifle away- A ’ fierce struggle followed, wherein the other workmen joined. .Fergusson was overpowered and handed over to the police. He was later charged with murder. His three victims were married rilen. -