CVRUS HALEY SHOT DEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4335, 5 October 1875, Page 2

CVRUS HALEY SHOT DEAD.

[By Electric Telegraph.] ■ [press agency.] Dunedin, Monday. Soon after the hard-labour gang were turned out this morning to work on Bell Hill, one of the prisoners, Cyrus Haley, attempted to escape. He made his way into Moray-place, and then into Stuart-street, followed by Warder Millar. Mr. Millar challenged him in the usual manner, and asked hini in the Queen's name to surrender. Haley continued running, when the warder brought his rifle to the present, pulled the trigger, and Haley dropped dead, being shot through the back, the ball coming out at the chest near the lungs. Haley was the notorious Auckland fire-raiser, and was in gaol here for two life sentences. He lias given a great deal of trouble during his incarceration. The event ha 3 caused great excite-" ment in town. 8 p.m. A number of photographs were found concealed under Haley's shirt, which he had often stated he would carry to his grave.

The Star's special correspondent supplies supplies the following account: — Cyrus Haley's career was brought to a close this morning. He tried to escape and was shot. Haley was marched out amongst the hard-labour gang to Bell Hill. He had only lately had the irons taken off his legs. Soon after seven he ran away from the top of the hill, crossed by the first church in Moray-place, and ran by Moray-place in the direction of Stuart-street. He was followed by Warder Millar, who called out to him as fast as he could, "Stop! stop! stop!" But Haley would not stop. Both men ran very slowly. When Haley had got into Stuartstreet, Millar was ninety or a hundred feet behind him. Millar had previously fired two shots in the air, and had called on him to stop, but he would not. Millar, now fearing to lose Haley among the coal and timber yards, fired at Haley. The.ball took effect. It entered the back, passed through the arteries and through the lungs, and came out at the breast. Haley, after getting the shot, had the impetus of the running still in him. He came forward about ten feet to a lamp-post, laid his hand on it, sat down on the footpath, and died. His face turned to a frigtful livid colour. The prisoners were then marched in from Bell Hill to the goal. The warders brought a board and took him away. Haley had lately threatened to kill the gaol chaplain, the Bev. Mr. Torrace, and had been punished for insolence. Some months ago he tried to escape by throwing pepper in a warder's eyes.