A TERRIBLE MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2080, 2 August 1890, Page 3

A TERRIBLE MURDER.

i On last Wednesday evening a r dreadful murder took place at a place called Dargaville, in Auckland. Constable NeilMcLeod, who was removing to Auckland with his wife, was on board the steamer Minnie Casey, Constable Scott and bis wife were also on board, and so was Robert Funcke, who was making use of abusive language, and brandishing a gun about him. The gun was taken from him, and he was 'put ashore by the two constables, lie showed n® resistance, and went quietly. McLeod and Scott returned, and the steamer put off, when Funcke immediately commenced to use abusive language to the captain and again Called for his gun. . The vessel was only a short distance away when Funcke fired from a revolver, but the bullet took no effect. He fired a second time, the shot striking the vessel’s side. He then fired a third shot, and this bullet had a fatal effect, for it struck Constable McLeod, who was standing at the rail of the steamer, and pierced his heart, the unfortunate man expiring instantly. Two other shots were fired, one of the bullets penetrating the timber of _ one of the cabins. ■ After an interval, when the vessel had , moved further into the stream; Funcke began firing again The ‘ steamer’s head was turned, and she .went on_ to Dargaville, when McLeod’s body was put on shore. The settlers, armed with rifles, and y- under the charge of Constables Scott and Carr, set out in pursuit of the murderer, and walked to Mangawhare, which is. a little more than a mile Dargaville- Funcke was Standing at the end of the wharf, and when challenged made no answer. A blank cartridge was then fired at him, and in the bright moonlight Funcke was seen to lift up his hand as if to fire. Two rifles, charged with shot, were then fired at him, and one of the charges striking him in the breast and groin he fell, and was arrested, At the inquest oil McLeod's body a verdict of wilful murder was returned against Funcke.