SENSATIONAL INCIDENT AT A MELBOURNE BALL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1453, 17 October 1881, Page 2

SENSATIONAL INCIDENT AT A MELBOURNE BALL.

A somewhat sensational incident occurred a few days ago at a ball in Melbourne. The last dance but one on the programme was just commencing, when the report of a pistol somewhere within the building was heard. At 6rst not much notice was taken of the circumstance, beyond some expressions of wonder as to what mi^ht be the cause of the noise ; but a report soon spread aTnit that a suicide had been committed, and in a few minutes it was known that a young man named Parker* J)ad been found insensible in a loooy, with a six-barrelled revolver by his side, one chamber of which had been recently discharged. The utmost consternation at once ensued. The band ceased tp play ; one lady fainted away ; most of the others became deadly pale, and a general break-up took place. On examination of the supposed victim, however no wound was visible beyond a slight burn <>n one <>f the wrists, and it was found that he was merely in a faint, from which after a short time he recovered. It wa« not known for a time whether he h*d attempted to commit suicide or whether it was an accident ; but a bullet was afterwards found near the spot It was much too small for the revolver and had evidently rolled out ; while Parker thinking he had really shot himself, fainted away. The front of* his shirt was burned, as from powder ; and it was also discovered that ho wished several ladies good-bye, telling them that they would not see him again.