OFFENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10084, 20 March 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

OFFENCES.

A MAN SHOT BY A WOMAN.

A sensational case of shooting took place in Harcourt and Co.'s auction mart, Wellington, on Tuesday afternoon, the 25th of February, The firm had announced the sale of several sections of Karl Locher, a dealor, one of which was under mortgage to Messrs. George Norbury and Trevor, builddors, Wellington, who had erected buildings for Locher in Manners-street. The sale was timed for half-past two in the afternoon, but owing to the small attendance it was delayed for a few minutes.

A little after half-past two Mrs. Locher called at the office of the auctioneers and asked which was the sale room This being pointed out, sho proceeded there, una almost on entering the door mot Messrs. Norbury and Trevor, who, with Mr. Prince, the wharfinger, were discussing some pictures hanging on the wall. Without making any remark, Mrs, Locher drew from her pocket a sixchambered revolver and fired at Norbury, the ball striking him on tho nipple of the right breast and passing through his body. Tho attack was so sudden that those in conversation with him had no timo to realise what had happened before a second shot was fired. No trace, howover, of tho bullet can be found.

A second or two after receiving tho bullet, which was fired at close quarters, Norbury staggered into the olfico connected with the market and exclaimed, "I am shot through the heart." At the same time the others in the room had secured Mrs. Locher, and had takon the weapon from her. Dr«. Henry and James were soon in attendance, and everything wag done for the unfortunate man.

A magistrate and the police were also quickly on the spot, and Norbury's depositions were taken to the effect that he had a dispute with Mrs. Lochor over the building, but never quarrelled with Mr. Locher. He know the female accused who shot him. He had not seen her to speak to this year. He had legal proceedings against her husband, and to day's sale was tho result of the suit. He did not see any weapon on Mrs. Locher. Sho came to within a foot of him and fired the shot, but missed. He heard reports, and the first and seoond shots, and saw a flash. He concludod: Mrs. Locher shot me. I have nob soon her husband to day, or this year to speak to, though I have seen him in the street. That is Mrs. Locher, who was at present in custody." Mr. Norbury is a middle-aqjed married man, and was partnor with Trevor when they erected the building for Locher, over which ho took a second mortgage. Mrs. Lochor, who is a rather slight, but determined-looking woman, was removed in custody after Norbury's depositions wero taken, and hor husband was also arrested, both being charged with attempted murder.

Mr. and Mrs. Locher are Swiss, and camo to New Zealand about five years ago. Locher was then possessed of means, but it is said that ho suffered heavy losses by speculation.

February 28. George Norbury, who was shot on Feb. 25, is progressing favourably. The diffi culty between Karl Locher and Messrs. Norbury and Trevor was settled to-day by an arrangement made upon the guarantee of Mr. G. W. Smart for an advance to Locher of a sum necessary to enable him to pay off his indebtedness to the builders, henco the sale under the mortgage, announced for this afternoon, did nob come off.

Carl Locher was allowed bail on March 3 on his own recognisance of £300 and two securities of £100 each. The Lochers were before the Wellington Court on Monday, the 9th of March, The husband was dismissed, bub Mrs. Locher was committed for trial. The medical evidence showed that Norbury was progressing favourably, but was not out of danger. The bullet had not touched the lung. Sir R. Stout, who appeared for the defence, said he would apply for bail for Mrs. Locber when tho patient was out of danger,

An extensive robbery took place at the Rotorua Post Office on the 11th March. On getting up at seven o'clock in the morning Mr. Dansey, Postmaster, missod his keys, and noticing the room door ajar, suspected that something was amiss, and at once hastened to the office, which is closo to his residence. On entering the building, he found the lower centre pane of the window facing Fenton-street broken. This enabled the burglars to undo the catch, enter the operating room, and so gain access to Mr. Dansey's office, where tho safe stands. The keys of the safe were in the lock, but the two cash boxes, which contained coin and securities, were absent. Tho registered packets, stamps, postal notes, and a small amount of silver money wore left. Constable Whelan, who is acting here in Constable Murray's absence, was notified, and an examination of the ground made. While doing so, Mr. McNamara, one of the town surfaoemcn came up, and stated that there was surely something wrong, as he had found several things which he could not accounb for in the street at the end of Robertson's paddock, about 400 yards from the post office. He took Mr. Dansey and the constable to the spot, and there they found the cash-boxes lying open with registered letters torn open and scattered about. A further examination showed that where the contents were negotiable they had beon taken, and where not either torn up or left. A packob of £20 in notes had been overlooked, and was found there, The keys of the Courthouse, which had been in the pocket of Mr. Dansey's clothes, were also found near by. The total loss in cash, the property of the Post Office, was over £130 in gold, notes, and cheques. Tho value of the negotiable contents of tho registered letters was estimated at considerably over £100. Thomas Hardie and James Steel were arretted at Okoroire on tho 11th March on suspicion of being concerned in the burglary at the post office. The men had been staying at Brent's Bathgate House as tourists, and left by coach for Okoroire. Several circumstances led to suspicion falling on them, and the postmaster at Okoroire was instructed to keop them under surveillance. On the driver returning, it was found, it is stated, that they had paid him with one of the stolen notes. Constable Whelan procured a warrant, and effected their arrest about midnight. Over £56 were found in their possession, and 13 notes were, it is alleged, identified. They were brought before tho Bench, and remanded for eight days, bail being refused. On March 16 Constable Fry arrested two men named Henry Albert Austin and Henry .Nlounsey on the arrival of the train from Rotorua on a charge of breaking into the Roforua Post Office. Accused wore brought before the Court on March 18 and discharged, thero being no evidence to connect them with the crime.

Wo understand that late on March 10 or early on Wednesday, March 11, the premises of Messrs. Ehrenfried Brothers, wine and spirit merchants, Lower Queenstreet, were burglarised. About £150 worth of goods were taken,comprising 2500 cigars, and a quantity of champagne.