A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 37

A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY

CHARGE OF MURDER.

WEIiLINGTON, January 3. James Sheridan/ a young man, a native of Wellington, was arrested this afternoon, in connection with the death of Johis M 'Anally, on liambton Quay. The two men, it is said, Had a difference of opinion, resulting in both coming to blows. M'Anally was seen to fall to the ground, and expired almost immediately. James Kictard, a builder's labourer, employed by James Trevor and Son, contractors for the New Zealand Insurance Company's new building at the corner oi£ Lambton quay and Grey street, states that he saw two men 'approach the vacant space at the rear of the building shortly after 2 o'clock. One kof themT (the deceased) was apparently drunk, and j;he other also ap-* peared to be under the influence of drink. Rickard, who had occasion to enter- Mr Trevor's temporary works office, wonderec? what the men were about, and asked them what they were doing there. He received a' reply from one«bf the men that he wad taking his companion away from " the other men so that they would not get his money." Both meri then sat down on a vacant space near the rear wall «f Young's buildings. After they had been talking for some time one. of ;the men endeavoured to get up, bufc his companion would not let him. They squabbled for a time, and Hickard allege* that M'Anally then struck Sheridan, struggled, to his - feet, "-and commenced to make -his way into Peatherston street. Sheridan followed M'Anally, and when the latter turned round .apparently to " remonstrate with him, Sheridan, it is alleged, struck him on the face, and he fell to the* ground and quickly expired. Deceased fas a wharf- labourer residing in. Pipitea stre«t. He 'leaves a wife, but n,o children. When his clothes were searched by the police the sum of 27s lOd was found in the pockets. 'Sheridan is a carpenter. At the time of -the occurrence Constable Clay was coming along Lamblon quay on atramcar, and when he^Saw Sheridan running he promptly got off, chaeed Sheridan, and caught him. Sheridan was taken to tho Police Station., He is' about 30 years of age, and is a eori of Mr P. Sheridan, of Wellington. -

Considerable surprise was occasioned in the city tb.l3 afternoon when it became known thafc-tha accused person is the son of an old and well-known officer of th« Native Lands Department. "