TWO MEN SHOT

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1927, Page 11

TWO MEN SHOT

ONE DEAD ANOTHER WOUNDED. Sydney, Dec. 24. Prompt action by the Brisbane police this week resulted in four arrests in connection with a mystery murder, and an altercation after a game of cards, as a result of which a man was shot over the heart. The murder occurred at the conclusion of a party at a house in South Brisbane on Saturday night. William Raper, who had at one time .been a cab driver, was the host of the party, which was still in progress at midnight, when there was a violent banging at the front door. Raper, suspected nothing untoward, went out and opened it. Others who followed him saw three strangers standing there. “Spider,” they said to Raper, “you are a—.” Immediately about a dozen shots were fired, and his guests saw Raper stagger into the garden and collapse. His murderers raced out of the gate and disappeared in the darkness before the startled guests could make a move in retaliation. When the police arrived they found the walls and door at the front of the house spattered with bullet holes. Raper died before he could be taken to the pospital. Subsequently the police arrested a man; but they have been unable to find any reason for the murderous attack on Raper, who had the reputation of being a harmless man, without any enemies. The attempted murder followed an altercation over a card game, and occurred on Monday night, the victim being Robert Breckenridge. It is stated that three men were leaving Breckenridge’s home in Manning Street, South Brisbane, when he walked to the door, and an argument ensued over money—a sequel to their cardplaying the night before. During the argument one of the men produced a revolver and Cred. The three men entered a motor car, which was waiting outside, and were driven to the Central Station, where they dismissed that ear and engaged a taxi. In it they were driven to the Clayficld terminus. By that time the police were hot on their trail, and. had no. difficulty in effecting three arrests. Breckenridge’s condition is reported as critical,