MURDER AT MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2529, 7 June 1895, Page 2

MURDER AT MASTERTON.

A MAN SHOT DEAD IN THE STREET. SENSATIONAL SCENE. THE MURDERER FIRES THREE TIMES AT HIS VICTIM. HE IS IMMEDIATELY ARRESTED. By Telegraph. —Own Correspondent. Masteuton, Juno G. A tragic affair occurred in Quooa street at 20 minutes to 5 o’clock this evening, when Androw ( Somervillo, a labourer, shot dead Arthur Herbert, contractor, of Herbert villo. It appeal's that some months ago Herbert had a road formation contract from tho Akitio Road Board, and let a subcontract for AO chains to Somerville and two others. After working on tho contract for some time Somerville withdrew, as ho says, by consent of Herbert and bis mates. Somerville says tho arrangement was made that when tho contract was completed and payment was received from tho Board ho was to be paid the sum of .£l9. On completion of tho contract, however, Herbert declined to pay. ' Somerville thereupon served a notice upon tho Road Board under tho Contractors’ and Workmen’s Lien Act to retain tho money pending proceedings. In tho Magistrate’s Court at Mastortou to-day a case was heard in which Somerville claimed .£l9 from Herbert and the Road Board. , The defence was raised that the case bad not been brought within tho time specified by tho Act. Eventually, tho case was adjourned for a fortnight, it being arranged that proceedings should bo dropped against tho Board and continued against Herbert. SOMERVILLE BUYS A REVOLVER. Shortly after tho adjournment of tho case Somervillo wont to tho shop of Mr A. Bradford, gunsmith, and bought a sixchambered revolver, stating that ho was going to Coolgardie, and asked if the gunsmith thought tho revolver would bo sufficient defence on tho goldfields. At the requestof Somervillo, tho revolver was loaded in six chambers. MEETING HIS VICTIM. At twenty minutes to five, Herbert was standing with Mr A. Mcllutohon, clerk of the Akitio Road Board, beside the Club Hotel, when Somervillo came up, and stood in front of thorn with both hands in his trousers pockets. After a short pause, he said : “ Well, Herbert, will you have a drink ?” Herbert replied, “ Yes, I don’t mind.” Somerville thonremarkod, “Youahouldu’t go against mo!” _ “ I never went against you,” said Herbert. “Ob, yes, you did!” retorted Somervillo. “ But didn’t I work tor you like a man ?” “Yos,” was tho reply; “but didn’t I treat you like a gentleman ?” “Well, why didn’t you pay ma money askod Somerville. Herbert paused, and then said," Because there was no money in tho job.” , THE SHOOTING. S Thereupon, Somervillo di'ow a revolver from his pocket, and said “Tako.that!”, firing two shots in succession into Herbert’s breast. Herbert then ran into tho middle of the street, shrieking awfully. Somervillo walked after him, and when ho was in the middle of \ th? street firod a third shot with ' a similar remark as before./ " , Herbert began to tool, staggered to tbo side of tho road and foil in tho gutter, where he died .without uttering another word. THE ARREST. Constables Collorton and Nestor were standing within five chains of tho scono of the tragedy, and when they saw what had happened ran to the spot. Constable. Nestor seized Somervillo from ; behind and throw him down, whilst Collertou wrested tho weapon from his hand. Three of tho chambers were found still loaded. , Somerville offered no resistance, but after remarking about.working for Herbert for two years without money and asking, “ Is ho dead?” said, “I’ll go with you.” He was then taken to tho police cells. Tho body of poor Herbert, after being examined, was conveyed to tho Morgue.. . . THE MURDERED MAN. / By Telegraph,—Own Correspondent. Masterton, Juno 0. 1 Herbert was known as a quiet, inoffensive man. Ho was about 50 years of age, and was a contractor at Herbertvillo, where he loaves a largo family. THE PRISONER. By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent , , Masterton, Juno 6. Somervillo is a .man of about 40 years of age. '• 1 , .... ■ He had been working for Herbert at Herbertvillo, and afterwards in tbo Akitio district. He is about six feet in height, of stout build and of steady habits. For some months ho has boon surfaceman to tho Akitio Road Board, and has boon regarded as a very industrious workman, though possessed of a somewhat hasty temper. ‘ The Coroner’s inquest is to take place at 9.30 to-morrow morning, and Somerville will be brought before tho Court at 10, and remanded. He will probably bo taken to Wellington to-morrow night. . . . ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE TRAGEDY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Masteeton, Juno 0. A . man named Andrew J. Somervillo deliberately shot at and killed another man named Arthur Herbert in Queen street this afternoon. Somervillo had been working for Herbert, and a dispute regarding a claim for £l9 wages occupied the Magistrate’s Court this morning, the case being adjourned for a fortnight. Somervillo, on leaving tho Court about midday, purchased a six-chambered revolver, and at about 4.30 was seen talking to Herbert outside tho Club Hotel, several persons being in tho street at the time. Suddenly Somerville drew the revolver, and saying “ Tako - that!” fired, the shot entering Herbert’s body in tho region of tho heart.

The latter throw up his arms, and, turning round, staggered across the road, Somerville firing two more shots at him. Herbert fell dead, the by-standors scattering in all directions. Constables Collerton and Nestor, who were within 50 yards of the scene, rushed at Somerville, and secured him, Collerton taking the revolver away, which, on examination, was found to have the three remaining chambers loaded. Somerville made no resistance, and remarked that he would go quietly. Herbert was an old settler. Somerville has been working on several contracts in the district and was generally looked upon as a quiet man.