THE MASTERTON MURDER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 137, 12 June 1895, Page 4

THE MASTERTON MURDER.

Tho following accouut of the murder at Masterton last Thursday of Arthur Herbert by Andrew J. Somerville is from the Wellington Evening Post,—

The circumstances wbich led to tbe terrible deed arc easily told. It appears that in June last Mr Herbert secured a contract from the Akitio Eoad Board for road formation. A sub-contract for 41 chains tit £5 pcr chain was let to Somerville and two mates named Lloyd and Harkness.

The three were working together for some time, when a dispute occurred between them, and it was mutually agreed that Somerville should leave tho job.- It was arranged that for the "work dono he should receive a sum of £19, but this was not to ho paid until the completion of the contract.

On the contract being finished Somerville applied for the money to Herbert, but was inf oi med that Harkn?BS was the man who should pay. Somerville thereupon served notice upon the Eoad Board, which had moneys in hand due upon the contract, to retain those moneys pending proceedings under the Contractors and Workmen's Lien Act.

The proceedings were duly instituted, and, the case was called on in the Magistrate's Court at Masterton yesterday. The plaintiff Somerville was called, and gave his evidence in an honest and straightforward manner, displaying no great concern in the case beyond exhibiting the usual desire of men in his position to obtain hia money. The Clerk to the Akitio Boad Board was afterwards called, and gave evidence as to the terms of the contract, &c. Considerable legal argument then took place, after which it was decided that the case should be adjourned for a fortnight. When the hearing of the case was at an end (about a quarter to 12) Somerville left the Court, and It is alleged made some remark about settling with Herbert. He then went with a friend to a hotel and had a drink, afterwards proceeding to the boardinghouse in which he. was stopping (street and Crowder'e) and having dinner. At the dinner table there appeared to be nothing strange in his manner, although some who saw him say he looked as if he was troubled in his mind.

When dinner was over Somerville went out, and at a quarterpast one was seen by Sergt. M'Oardle ap.d. others walking down Chapelstreet in the direction of Waipoua Kiver, The sergeant remarked to a friend that the man had a strange look in his face.

)t would appear that Fomerville Was then- on his way to the shop of Mr Bradford, gunsmith. Three days previously he had been into Mr Bradford's shop and enquired for a revolver. At that time he said He contemplated leaving for Coolgardie, and wanted something in the shape of protection. He looked through an assortment of p'stols, and at length selected oue with an ivory handle. lie told Mr Bradford to put it aside for him, saying he would call again, as he was. not going away for a week. When he entered the shop yesterday, the gunsmith, of course knew for what he had come. They again looked through ihe revolvers, and h'omerville, instead of taking the spiall one he had previously chosen, selected another, 'lhis contained the usual six chambers. Somerville asked Bradford how to load the weapon, aud the latter showed him, charging it with six cartridges. Somerville then ex- ■ pressed himself satisfied, and tendered, a -610-note in payment of the weapon, which cost 3Us. He was about to take it away, when Bradford . asked him if he wanted any more cartridges. Ho replied that he did not. Bradford then drew his .attention to the fact that the revolver was loaded, and pointed out that ior safety sake it would be better to remove tho cartridges, Tho man, however, objected, Btating that there would be no danger as he was going to put the weapon away in a box. He then left.

The movements of Somerville after ho left the gunsmith's shop are somewhat uncertain. About 2 o'clock, however, he was seen in the Courthouse, where he remained for some time. At 4 o'clock Mr W. Cronin, who has knowu him for yeara and haa worked with him, came into the Court, fc'omerville beckoned him to come out. The two went out, and Somerville said, •■ Come and have a drink." Cronin, who is suffering from au injury to his arm, at first refused, but when JSomerville appealed to him as an old acquaintance he consented to go and have a cigar. Accordingly the two proceeded to- the U'-mpire Hotel.

On arriving afc the hotel Somerville called for whisky for himself, and asked all in the room to have a drink, which they did. ■ Cronin then took him aside, and approached him for his undue liberality. Afcer a few minutes' conversation Somerville again called for drinks. Cronin objected, bnfc Somerville remarked, " You may not see mt .again." "Ob, yes, I will," said Cronin, " I'll see you in the morning." Somerville retorted, " No, you won't." They then had theii drinks and parted, tomerville walking in the direction of tho Club Hotel.

This was about 20 minutes to five o'clock. At this hour Mi Ai-lhiu Herbert aud Mr A. M'JJiitoheon (Clerk to the Akitio Eoad Board) ■were standing together on the footpath just at the oorner of the Club Hotel leading on to the verandah. Mr Herbert was leaning back on the rail, and Mr M'Hutoheon had hit arm over his shoulder. They were , talking about- various Bubjects, when Somerville came upon the scene and stood in front of them with both hands lu his trousers pockets. "Well, Her-bert,-will you have a drink? ' stud ht •Yes, I don t mind," was tbe reply. "You shouldn't go against nee," said Somerville. "1 never went ngaiusl you.," replied Mr Herbert. "Oh yes, you did ? " said t'omerville ; "but didn't I work for you hke a man?'' "Yes," was the reply, "aud didn't I (reat you like a gentleman?" "Then why didn't you pay me my money?" retorted Somerville. Mr Herbert paused for a second, and then replied, ' Because there was uo money in the job.'' Hardly had the last reply fallen from the lips of Herbert Ihan somerville drew from his pocket the revolver, and with the remark, "Take that, yoa ," discharged ono barrel right into the breast of Herbert. Mr M'Hutoheon, who with others was standing near, jumped out of the way. Mr Herbert threw up his hands at woe, and staggered towards the edge

of the footpath. Somerville then fired a second shot, with the exclamation, "Take that." Mr Herbert, who was mortally wounded, ran shrieking into the middle of the street crying, "Oh God ! Oh God !" As if not satisfied that his fearful work w&b finished, ;- omerville followed his victim and when he had reached the middle of the street fired a third shot. Poor Herbert then staggered to the side of the road, and fell into the gutter, >*' omerville followed him a few yards distant, and watched him steadfastly, as if to ascertain if he was really dead.

As soon as the first report of tho revolver was heard, Constable Collerlon (of Tenui) and Nestor (of Eketahuua) rushed to, the scene, and brave men that they were, made a dart at the murderer, who appeared lo be oblivious of the fact that they were approaching. Collerton rushed lor Ihe right arm of the man, which held the revolver, and Nestor, catching him by the body threw him to the ground. The man seemed dumbfounded, and offered no resistance, relinquishing his grasp of lhe weapon at once. Bomervillc, after rising to his feet, said, '-I have been working for him lor two years and have got no money" and said something about •■ meaning to do it." He then cast his eye upon his victim, and asked "Is he dead ?" A reply being given in the affirmative he said "Then I will go with you," and he was taken to the cells, followed by a largo crowd of excited spectators.

| As soon as the police had arrested j Somerville a rush was made by several terrified bybtandcrs to the body of tho viotim ; Mr A. Reside, Mr j Cullen, Mr W Dalryrnple, of Featherston, and others who had witnessed the tragedy, but who had not time to interfere, weie quickly on the scene. The poor man was then dying. He did not speak, but after his head was lifted he gave a few long gasps and diedAKTECEOIKTS Or THE ACCUSED. Andrew Somerville, tho man in cun. tody, appear? to be about 40 years of age. He was born iu County Tyrone, Irelai d, and had beon in tho colony about 20 years. He camo to Masterton when tho rnilwr.y works between here and Eketahm.a were in progress 1 , wot king lor botb Meters u'Alallcy aud Pop*.orell and Messrs Downes aod Hcndeißon. Siuae tho completion cfthe railway ho has been working on viirions contracts. For two yeai s he bad beeu working for his victim (Mr Heibert) at Herbcrtville. After leaving tho contract under tho Akitio Uoad Boaid he w.ib takon on a. asm-face-man for tbo Board, in wboso employ bo remained until quite recently. He camo dowu to Mastoiton about a fortnight ago, and obtained employment from a poutlcmaii nt Pangbroo. He exproFßed h's intention of leaving Masterton lcr tiew employment as b .ou aa his Gourt case was over, but ou Thursday afternoon said he hud changed his mind, ai.d asked Mr Cronin if ho could find him a mau to go in bis place. The baoits of Somerville are said by all who knew bim to bavo beeu abovo reproach, Ab a woikman lit could not be beaten, and ae a mata ho was esteomed and respected by ull who knew bim. He is possessed of u short temper, but no man wbo knew him would dream for a moment tbat ho would bo feui.ty of tbo crime with wbiob be now stands charged.