A SYDNEY SENSATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 29

A SYDNEY SENSATION.

The cabled neivs of the fatal shooting affray at Leichhardt, Sydney,Avilien Allred Russell, an employee of the Water and Sewerage.. Board, shot Alderman 11. .R. Stewart dead Avith a revolver at close quarters, was even more dramatic than the cabled report indicated. It appears that Russell had about three years ago entered into an agreement with Steward’s company to erect a house on terms. Russell paid a deposit of £3O down, and Avas to pay £7O more Avhen the place Avas finished, and Avas then to be the debtor of the firm to the extent of £3OO. While the Avork was being carried out, Russell frequently made complaints regarding the class of the construction. Frequently he also made demands that certain alterations should be effected, which, Mr SteAvard claimed, were not included in the contract. Owing to disagreement still existing at the finish of the Avork, Russell consulted a solicitor, who advised him that he Avould probably succeed in securing a satisfactory settlement, but the expenses Avould represent more than he would gain. Through hi® solicitor Mr Steward demanded payment of the balance of the deposit. As a re*, suit of negotiations it Avas agreed that Russell av&s to forfeit *his deposit of £3O, each aide to pay his oivn costs. Russell’s amounted to £is, and he Avas so pleased at the amount being so small that he voluntarily gave his solicitor another £lO. Shortly after this Russell, acting on, advice, demanded from Steward £55, the deposit and legal costs, but this was refused. From that Mine he had lost no opportunity in shoAving -animosity towards Mr Steward, by parading the streets with a huge placard stating that he had been robbed. He also wrote threatening letters to the effect that he Avould “do ” for SteAvard. On the afternoon of the 23rd nit., Russell called at Steward’s office and on being told that he was out, but Avould be back in a feAv minutes, paced the footpath in waiting. At length Mr Steward came along Henry street from the tramline, and turned into Augustus street. In one hand he held a lighted cigar, the other a copy of “The World’s News,” Avhich ho Ava,s reading. As he neared the office Russell Ava.lked smartly up to meet him, an<| addressed him by name. Mr Steward looked up fronntlie paper he Avas reading, and immediately Russell produced a revolver from his pocket, and fired point blank at Mr St-eward’s face. The unfortunate alderman "fell back lifeless Several ©ye-Avitnesses of the affair Avere for a moment dumbfounded at the occurs rence. They then rushed" to Mr Steward’fc assistance, carried him to a neighbour*® residence, and telephoned for medical help anti the police. Russell aa'us arrested Avitliin a feAV minutes and taken to the Leichhardt lockup, On being searched a revolver Avas found Avith one cartridge discharged. Under his clothes he Avas wearing a breastplate of sheet iron, an eighth of an inch thick, tied round his neck and Avaist with rope. It was known that Russell earned a revolver, and Mr SteAvard thought it Avis© to do the same, particularly as h© frequently carried large sums of money.