A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9697, 5 March 1910, Page 5

A WELLINGTON TRAGEDY.

Per Press Association

Wellington, March 4

Pipite& Street, Thermion, was the scene of a tragedy just after six o’clock to-aight, Christopher Dennis Smith, a draper’s assistant, being shot dead by a bailiff named Robert Oorkhill. It is alleged that the deceased severely assaulted Oorfahill, and two boys, who were startled witnesses, state that Oorkhill was seen to gat np off the gronnd after a souffle with Smith and then to take aim, with the result that Smith fell dead, shot through the heart. The murderer is In custody. The victim of the tragedy was a married man, whose wife lives in Blenheim. He had baen employed until recently by Messrs Warcock and Adkin, drapers, of Dambton Quay, and boarded at 60, Pipitea Street, the landlady being a Miss Smith. A few days ago Miss Smith gave up the place, and a new tenant was to have gone ill, but Smith objected on the ground, it is said, that the boarders oould not be compelled to leave before the end of the week. Oorshill, as bailiff, was, therefore, ordered to take possession, but Smith, who is a much younger man,' turned Ootkfaill out of the house and knocked him down ou the concrete path. Smith did nothing further, but Oorkhill rose to his feet, and taking out a revolver, shot him fatally in the chest. After the deed Oorkhill wandered about the streets aimlessly until captured by some bystanders and taken to the police station.