A TRAGEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5278, 7 June 1895, Page 3

A TRAGEDY.

MttRDER AT MASTERTON. [Pbb Pbkss Association.]

MASTEBTON, June 6.

A man named Andrew J. Somerville deliberately Bbot at and killed another, Arthur Herbert, in Queen Street, this afternoon.

Somerville had been working for Herbert, and a dispute regarding a olaim for £19 wages ocoupied the Magistrate's Court this morning, the case being adjonrned for a fortnight. Somerville, on leaving the court abont midday purchased a six-chambered revolver, and at about 4.30 was seen talking to Herbert outside the Club Hotel, several persons being in the street at the time. Suddenly he drew the revolver, and saying, " Take that," fired a Bhot, which entered Herbert's body in the region of the heart. The latter threw up his arms, and turning round, staggered across the road. Somerville fired two more Bhote at him, and Herbert fell dead. The bystanders scattered in all directions.

Constables Collerton and Nestor, who were within fifty yards of the scene, rushed at the murderer and secured him. The former took away the revolver, whioh on examination, proved to have three chamber** remaining loaded. Somerville made no resistance, and remarked that he would go quietly. Both men are single. Herbert was an old settler. The other has been working on several contracts in the district, and was generally looked upon as a quiet man. The affair has caused no little sensation here.