A WHARF TRAGEDY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10546, 24 March 1920, Page 5

A WHARF TRAGEDY

FATAL AFFRAY ON YESSEL ASSAILANT ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER. As the result of a disturbance a little after 7 o'clock last night on the steamer Armagh, lying at the Glasgow wharf, a man named Robert McNab, storekeeper of the Waikawa, was killed. From inquiries made on the spot by a "Times" reporter it appears that at 7.20 p.m. three members of the. Armagh's crew, Cornelius Mack, A. Farnsworth, and Quartermaster Armstrong were standing on the gangway when two other men came on the ship and walked on the deck. It is alleged that Bright, a,ship's fireman, accosted two men on the deck. Cullen and MoNat, and without saying a word knocked Cullen down to the deck. BYE-WITNESSES' STATEMENTS. Joseph Cullen, in conversation with the "Times'' representative stated that Bright hit him a violent blow on the jaw, knocking several .of bis teeth out. Cullen, w-hile lying on the deck said, "Eon't hit me now, I'm crook;.I'll see you- to-morrow." MoNab held Bright back' from further assaulting Cullen, and Bright then said to McNab, ''What did you hold me back for?" McNab mad© no Teply. and Bright then felled him to the deck, saying, "I'll give you more if you get up." While attempting to get up McNab was kicked in the stomach and on N the mouth, and fell back on the "deck motionless. Bright then walked, past the fourth officer, Mr Bowrel, and went down the gangway with a companion. Those on hoard centred their attentions on the injured man, and Bright was allowed to go away. : DEATH OF McNAB. The man Farnsworth summoned Dr Faulke, and afterwards informed the police.. The doctor arrived at 8.10 p.m. and on examination pronounced life to be extinct, and the body was removed to ■ the morgue in the ambulance. . Sergeant McKelvie, Detective Tnokle. btak, and Constable Anderson were soon on the scene, and after inquiries commenced their chase for tho assailant. AN OLD FEUD. Joseph Cullen told the "Times" man that a* feud existed between himself and Bright over an argument at Lyt. telton last Friday. Cullen and Bright were together in Christchurch last week when the Armagh was lying al Lyttelton, and Cullen, who was "on tho •pree," and without money," sold bis lratch, chain. According to, Cullen, Bright thought that he had a right to a share of the money derived, and an argument ensued, Cullen being struck by 'Bright. Bright slept on hoard tho Armagh for two nights during the vessel'* stay at Lyttelton, although not •otaaily "employed on the ship. Cullen further said, "I am paid off this ship. and I asked MoNab to help me off with my baggage, and this is what happened." -......: AN ARREST MADE. Detective Trickie'bank and Con•tabie Andeireon Visited many board-ing-houses where ships' firemen and seamen usually find accommodation, but it was not until 11.30 p.m.' that they succeeded in securing itiie man wanted. On going into a boardinghouse No. 147, Willis street, opposite tho Y.M.C.A., they ascertained that a man answering to Bright's deacription was in bed. The police officers went upstairs 7 and walked into a foom which contained three men. ! Cullen, who was present, pointing to Bright, who was in bed, said; "That's the manl" Detective Tncklebank then asked Bright to dress and accompany him to tho police station. Bright dressed himself without passing any remark. Another, man, who it was alleged accompanied Bright when he was on the Armagh, was also taken to the station. Both men, after being arrested, were escorted to Manners i street, when a taxi was secured and the couple wero driven to the police station. ACCUSED'S STATEMENT. The accused man, who gave his name as Benjamin Henry bright, said: "i am a ship's iireuian, residing at Willis street, and shrfrtly after 6 ■o'clock was on board the Ulimaroa, lying at the Queen's wharf. I was drunk at the time, and don't remember anything after that." Being further questioned by Detective Tricklebank, • tne accused denied being on the Armagh, last night, but said he knew Cullen, having met him in Lyttelton 'last Friday. He stoutly denied be* ing on th& Armagh. The other man, who gave his name as Murphy, after making a statement denying being on the Armagh, was allowed to go, on condition that he reported himself at the police station this morning. Cullen,' and two other members of the crew of the Armagh who witnessed the affray, picked out Bright from a line of six men. The positions, of ■ those in the line .were altered several times, and on each occasion they identified the accused. He was quite eober. CHARGED WITH MURDER. The accused, Benjamin Henry Bright, .was tnen charged by Dotec- , tive Tricklebank with the murder of Robert McNab on the steamer Armagh last night. He made no reply to tho charge. He was then lodged in -the cells. He is a stocky, wellbuilt man of about 33 years of age. . Bright will be formally charged with murder at the Magistrate's Court Ahis morning.