The Star. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26. 1896. A SHOOTING CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5499, 26 February 1896, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26. 1896. A SHOOTING CASE.

A WELLINGTON SENSATION. [Per Press Association. ! WELLINGTON, Ebb. 25. , A sensational case of shooting took place in Messrs Harcourt and Co/s Auction Mart this afternoon. The firm had announced a sale of several sections KarlLocher, a dealer, owned, one of which was under mortgage to Messrs George Norbury and Trevor, builders, of Wellington, who had erected a building for Locher in Manners Street. The sale was timed for 2.30 this afternoon, but, owing to the small attendance, was delayed a few minutes. A few minutes after 2.30 Mrs Locher called at the office of the auctioneers, and asked which was the saleroom. This being pointed out she proceeded there and almost on entering the door met Messrs Norbury and Trevor, who, with Mr Prince, wharfinger, were discussing some pictures hanging on the wall. Without making any remark Mrs Locher dre.r from her pocket a six-chambered revolver, and fired at Norbury, the ball striking him on the nipple of the right breast, and passing through the body. . The attack jvas so sudqten that those in conversation with him' had', no time to , realise what had happened before a second shot was fired. No. tra&e, however, of the builet can be found. Norbury and those who. were with hini assert that a. second shot was fired, and an , inspection' of the revolver shows that two chambers were recently, discharged. Mr Prince holds the opinion that the second shot was fired at Trevor, though this is doubted, as from the position in whicli he was standing the shot must have been discovered. A second or two after receiving the bullet, which was fired at closo quarr ters, Norbury staggered into the office connected with the mart, exclaiming " I am shot through the heart." At the same time others in the room secured Mrs Locher arid took the weapon from her. Telephone messages were. sent to the police and doctors at once. Drs Henry and James were soon in attendance, and. everything was done for the unfortunate man. The Magistrate and the police also were quickly on the spot, and Norbury's* depositions were taken. They were to the effect that he had had a dispute with Locher over the building, but he had never quarrelled with Mr 3 Locher. He knew the female accused who shot him. He had not seen her to speak to this year. He had had legal proceedings against her husband, and to-day's sale was the result of the suit. ,Be did not see any weapon on Mrs Locher. She came to within a foot of him, and fired. She fired a second shot, but missed. He heard the reports of the first and second shots, and saw the flash. He concluded, "Mrs Locher shot me. I have not seen her husband to-day or this year to' speak to, though I have seen him in the street. That is Mrs Locher (who was present in custody)." Mr Norbury is a middle-aged married , man, and was a partner with Trevor when they erected the building for Locher over which they took a second mortgage. Mrs Locher, who is a rather slight but determined-looking; woman, was removed in. custody after Norbvury's depositions had been taken, and her husband also was arrested, both being oharged with *at--tempted murder. The incident created great excitement in town, and the auction room! which is situated in. one of the most busy thoroughfares in town, was soon surrounded by crowds, and news as to the condition ofthe injured man was anxiously waited. When removed to the hospital Norbury's condition was serious, though the medical gentlemen held out a hope of ultimate recovery. At a late hour Norbury had recovered consciousness after being put under chloroform at the hospital, but he was in a very serious condition. The bullet did not go through him as at first supposed, but is embedded in or near the lung. The shot was fired so close that the powder burned his coat. Trevor seized Mrs Locher at the time the second shot was fired, and she said " I did not mean it for you, Mr Trevor." Her husband, who came in justthen, assisted in disarming the woman. The latter is described by those who know her as particularly excitable and. passionate, and very determined in character. It appears that both yesterday and to : day Locher made endeavours to get the sale of his property postponed, but was told that it was too late. He and his wife are now lodged in gaol, bail not being allowed, and they will come before the Court in the morning.