Sensational Encounter.

Inangahua Times, 2 October 1915, Page 2

Sensational Encounter.

Between Police and Burglars.

MELBOURNE, October 2 There was a sensational en* counter between the police and three burglars at the Trades Hall resulting in Constable McGrath being shot dead arid two intiuders John Jackson and Richard Buckley wounded. The Constable on duty in the vicinity of the Trades Hall had -.,- his suspicions aroused by. a slight sound of sawing and sent for 'assistance. A posse of police su-rounded the building and on entering were met with a volley of revolver shots to which they replied. When the lights were turned on two men were seen running along the corridor. ..-.-.... Constable McGrath hurried along the passage where he was subsequently found in a dying condition. The two burglars then rushed for the door amid a rapid exchange of shois between them and the police. Jackson, who was wounded in the thigh, and had a broken ankle, was secured in the building. Buckley, who was seriously wounded in the after reaching the yard. Meantime a third burglar, named Ward, was caught white attempting to escape from a ]: window. • • Constable McGrath received two shots rn the breast when entering the doorway of the [ corridor. Sub-Inspector McKenna had a narrow escape. , A burglar fired a shot which grazed him and entered the thigh of a second burglar, Jackson, who was in the line of fire. Buckley and Jackson were taken to the hospital and subsequently, with Ward, were charged with the murder of Constable. McGrath. The burglars' objective was the office of the Typographical Society. A safe was found wrenched from its stand. A portion of the steel, had been sawn off and bricks removed. ' When thev were interrupted . the men were prizing the safe open with a jemmy. There have been several attempted burglaries at the Trades Hall lately and one succeeded and £4OO was s olen.. Since then it bas been closely watched. Reed this day at 9.25 am. MELBOURNE This'day. In connection with the Trades Hall affray, three men were arrested, builders' labourers, two of whom are members of the Union, having roooras in the Trades Hall.