A WELLINGTON SENSATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10621, 17 March 1896, Page 7

A WELLINGTON SENSATION.

A MAN SHOT IN AN AUCTION ROOM,

A WOMAN THE ASSAILANT.

Wellington, February 25,

A sensational c&se o£ shooting took place in Harcourt and Co.'s auction mart this atteraoon. The firm had announced the sale of several sections that Karl Looker, a dealer, owned, one of which was under mortgage to Messes George Norbury and Trevor, builders, of Wellington,' who had erected a building for Looher in Manners street. The sale was timed for 2.30 this aEternoon, but owing to the small attendance was delayed a few minutes. Shortly after 2.30 Mrs Lochcr called at the office of tho auctioneers and asksd which was the saleroom. This being pointed out, the proceeded there, and almost on entering the door met Messrs Norbury and Trevor, who, with Mr' Prince, wharfinger, were discussing some pictures which were hanging on the wall. Without unking any remark, Mrj Locher drew from her pocket a six-oaambered revolver and fired at Norbury, the ball striking him on the nipple of the right breast and passing through his_ body. The attack was so sodden that those in conversation with him had no time to realise what had happened before * second shot was firad. No trace of the bullet can be found, but Norbury, and those who were with him, a'sert that, a second shot was Sred, and an inspection of the revolver shows th*t two chambers were recently discharged. Mr Prince holds tha opinion that tha second fhnt was fired at Trevor, though this is doubted, as from the position in which he was standing the shot must have been discovered.

A second or two after receiving the bullet, which was fired at close quarters, Norbury BUpgarcd into the office couueptecl with the mart exclaiming, " I'm shot through the heart." At the same time otters in tha room had sseured Mrs Locher suil taken the weapon from her. Telephone messages were sent to the police and doctors at once. Drs Henry and James were soon in. attoadnnce and everything was done for the unfortunate man. The magistrate and the police wera also quickly ou the spot, and Norbury'a depositions were tsken to the effect that he bad a dispute with Locher over the building, but never quarrelled with Mrß Locher. He knew tUe female accused who shot him. He hadn't seen her to speak to thia year. He had legal proceeding!! against her huaband, and to-day's sale was tha reuult of the suit; Hs did not see any weapon on Mrs Locher. She came to within a foot of him and fired. She fired a. second shot but ini»sed. He heard the reports of the first ai)d second shots and saw the flash. He concluded, " Mrs Locher shot me. I have not seen her husband to-day or this year to speak to, though I have seen him in the street. That is Mro Locher" (wiao was present in' cUßtody). Mr Norbury is a middle aged married man, and was a partner with Trevor when they erected the building for Locher over which they took a second mortgage. Mrs Locher, who is a rather slight but determined-looking woman, was removed in custody after Norbury's depositions had been taken, and her husband was also arrested, both being charged with attempted murder.

The incident created great excitement and the auction room, which is situated in one of the moat busy thoroughfares in town, was soon surrounded by crowds, and news as to the condition of the injured man was anxiously waited. When he was removed to the hospital his condition was serious, but the medical gentlemen hold out hope of his ultimate recovery. At a late hour Norbury had recovered consciousness, after being put under chloroform at the hospital, but was in a very serious condition. The bulleb did not ro through him as wbb at first supposed, but is embedded in or near the lung. The shot was fired so close that the powder burned his coat. Trevor seized Mrs Locher at the time the second shot was fired, and she said: " I did not mean it for you, Mr Trevor." Her husband, who came in just then, assisted in disarming the woman. Tha latter is described by those who knew her as being particularly excitable and passionate, aud Very detsrmined in character. It appears that both yesterday and to-day Locher made endeavours to get the Dale of his property postponed, but was told it was too late. Ho and his wife are now lodged in gaol, bail not being allowed, and will come before the court in ths morning. February 26. Karl P. Looter and Camille, his wite, were charged before Mr Wardel), S.M., this morning with the attempted murder of Mr Norbury. Sir R. Stout appeared for both accused. The police applied for a remand for a week, which was granted, the question of bail being deferred.

Locber, the male acousßO', bad for some time endeavoured to have the sale of the property postponed, but was advised to leive things alone, as he had an action pending against Norbury and Trevor for breach of contract in not completing their, contract for the erection of the premises in the stipulated limp. Mr and Mrs Locher are Swiss, and came to Netv Zealand five years agj. Locher was tbe.n possessed of means, but it is said that he Buffered very heavy losses by speculation. February £7.

Mr Wardell, S.M , refused bail this morning to Karl Locher, accused, with his wile, of the attempted murder of George Norbury. Inspsetor Pander stated that he was prepared to identify Locher .with the act of his wife.

Messrs Haroourt and Co., who were about to conduct the auction sola of Locher's properties

when the shooting affiir occurred on Tuesday, hava reoalved the following anonymous communication and handad it to lha police:— " Take warnifig. It is well .known that you ace known to be conniving witu soinning (sic) speculators by selliil? the unfortunate Lochsr's property ill in one lot when it would get four tiaies nJS muoh separately and leave a surpiu?. As a friend I advise you to pootDone it and pub it np fair in different lots." The auctioneer/! have no option with regard to the sale, which is under the ronduob of the registrar of the Supreme Court, and the town and country properties ' are. ■ being sold together owing to their being comprised in cue second mortgage. Norbury b&d slightly improved to-day, but the bullet haß not yet been discovered. February 23. George Norbury, who was shot on Tuesday, is pro^reFßiug favourably. The diliioulty bofcween Karl Locher aud iVlossrs Norbury and Trevor Wan settled to-day by aa arraignment made upon the guarantee of Mr Q. W. Smart for au advance .to Lochfir of the sum necessary to enable him to pay off his indebtedness to tae buildoi'4. Honce the sale under mortgaze announced for this afternoon did not come off.

Mr Norburv continues to make fair progress, Karl Locher has been discharged from oascody.