DAYLIGHT SHOOTING AFFRAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 November 1937, Page 5

DAYLIGHT SHOOTING AFFRAY

MAN SHOT DEAD IN SYDNEY STREET, ARREST OF ALLEGED ASSAILANT (United Press Association-By Electrlo Telegraph Copy rigbtl SYDNEY, 18th November. A daylight gangster shooting affray occurred at Castlereagh street in the centre of the city near large department stores this afternoon. In the presence of crowds of people Clarence Thomas, 36, was shot dead. This was quickly followed by the arrest of another man holding a smoking rovolver. Thomas was recently before the court on a charge of consorting with criminals. After his release from Long Bay gaol his case was taken up by the Reverend Albc Morris, Methodist gaol chaplain, who assailed the police for allegedly persecuting released prisoners. Mr Morris went (o the length of inviting Thomas to tell the story from the pulpit, which was given wide publicity. Thomas's assailant to-day was standing menacingly over him when a constable on traffic duty, who heard the revolver shot and the screams of fleeing women, swooped down to the alleged culprit, who made no attempt to escape.