SUSPICIOUS LAUNCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15821, 19 January 1915, Page 8

SUSPICIOUS LAUNCH.

FIRED AT IN SYDNEY HARBOUR

A motor-launch that was skirting Goat Island, opposite Balmain, Sydney, in a suspicious manner early one morning last week, was fired on, but the occupants did not heed either the bullets or the calls to heave-to, and escaped in the darkness' About 2 a.m.. Constable Devine, of North Sydney, was working his beat,' when he heard several shots fired in the direction of Bay Road. With Sergeant Mallard, he made an investigation, but could not see any signs of persons likely to have done the shooting or been fired at. About an hour later, however, Lieutenant Hunter, who is stationed at Goat Island telephoned to the North Sydney Police Station the story of the launch bavin? been fired on.

With all lights out, and several persons on board, the launch was seen approaching from the direction of Balmain at about two o'clock. It acted rather suspiciously in the manner in which it skirted the island, and was in consequence challenged. No reply was received, and when" :t turned and hurried off in the direction of Ball's Head eight shots were fired at it. The occupants, however, did not take any notice, and disappeared a few minutes later.