A SHOOTING CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 4 (Supplement)

A SHOOTING CASE.

[FBOM OUB OWN COBEESPONDBNT.J INVERCARGILL. Fbb. 21. On Feb. 11, Henry Lancaster shot John King at Easter Hill, Melbourne. The following is the story of the case:—Even as a boy John King was the companion of thieves, and became concerned in various robberies. Whilst endeavouring to pawn some property, the result of these depredations, he came under the eyes of the detectives, and was arrested for participation in theft. To save himself from punishment, he surrendered the honour which is usually held sacred among thieves, turned upon his companions, and appeared against them as a witness. These men were duly convicted, and the informer found himself under the thumb of the detectives, who discovered him useful in other cases, and he became what is known in the slang of the initiated as "a phizgig.” Subsequently King, with the desire of leading a better life, obtained a situation as a cleaner and presser of clothes, in the very premises where the tragedy occurred, and occupied by John Riley. He remained in this position for a little while only, and then absented himself for a longer period. Subsequently, however,, he returned, and for six weeks worked at the trade. Habits of indolence, inattention to work, and addiction to drink, soon brought about his dismissal, and his place in Riley's employ, was filled by Henry Lancaster. Both Lancaster and King belonged to the Militia, the former being attached to the A Company, and the other to the D Company. They moved pretty much in the same circle of acquaintances, and King's past career appears to have been somewhat a subject of gossip and comment. A little while since a sum of £42 was stolen from the Volunteer Hotel, Easter Hill, and King was pretty generally suspected of knowing more about the matter than ever came to light. He was frequently taunted with being an informer and the companion of thieves, and he fell into a dispute with some acquaintances. King believed Lancaster was the instigator of these remarks, and undertook to thrash him for it, more especially as he understood Lancaster had informed his late employer of the fact that he (King) was living with a paramour. He left his residence in Separation street, Richmond, early on Friday night, dressed in his uniform, and purporting to visit South Yarra, in order to obtain a pair of dancing shoes. Shortly before 11 o'clock he knocked at the front door of Riley's shop, and asked for Lancaster. A man named Connors, from within, told him to go away. Lancaster, who was in the back part of the house at the time, and was about retiring to bed, had a doublebarrelled fowling-piece in his room, and obtaining some cartridges loaded it. In the meantime. King went through the hotel, climbed over the fence at the rear, and got into the backyard of Riley's premises. Lancaster hearing him, went out, and was immediately seized by the neck, charged by King with being the author of the reports alluded to, and was thrashed unmercifully. The scuffle brought the man named Connors on the scene, who departed in search of a policeman, and came back accompanied by Constable Howden. By this time, however. King's passion had spent itself, and although a search was made for him he could not be found. Lancaster, who bore visible signs of the treatment he had received, was in a highly excited condition. He stated that if King came back he would shoot him. The constable found a bayonet and side arms belt belonging to King. He also saw an unsheathed bayonet and asked Lancaster if he knew of it being there. The latter replied that he did not; if he had, he would have struck the —■■ with it. A few minutes afterwards • the officer left, with a promise that he would come back if he heard any more noise. As soon as Howden departed Lancaster said he believed King was in the back. He therefore went and picked up his gun and moved towards the door. At this moment King was observed in a creeping position near some bushes about sixteen feet away, and Lancaster, before Connors could do anything to prevent it, raised the weapon and fired. King immediately exclaimed “My God, I am done for,” fell prostrate and never uttered a sound. Afterwards the sound of the shot brought Constables Ryan and Howden, and a number of others on the scene. Lancaster was found walking about in a most distracted manner, exclaiming, “ I have shot him, I have shot him.” The Constables found King lying in the yard. He was breathing, but died about two minutes afterwards. It is not believed that at the time he was shot King had any purpose in coming back other than to look for bis accoutrements. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter.