AN AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8154, 8 June 1906, Page 3

AN AUSTRALIAN TRAGEDY.

MURDEROUS 'ASSAULT ON MARRIED COUPLE.

THE GULPKIT SHOT BY THE POLICE.

The police authorities of Sydney on Monday May 28th, wero informed that early on Sunday morning a married couple named James, residing ou Nundoora Station, 90 miles from Tarrawingeo, near Brokun Hill, were murderously assaulted by a discharged employee of the station, named Campbell. The latter was pursued by two constables, and when overtaken presented a gnu at them. The ofllcers then fired, seriously wounded him and took him prisoner. Sub-Inspector Saw tall received a messfige stating that Oonstubles Wil liamsoii and McLean followed Campbell's tracks, and he was met north of Nundoora Station. Then, says the message, "when the police approached Campbell he presented a gun at the police, who fired and shot him in the abdomen."

No weapon was found in tho house where the assault was committed. It is assumed that James and his wife were struck with tho butt of a gun. The gun when secured was found to bo defeotivo, and will not go off at the full couk. Campbell told-Jame? »ome two weeks ago that he would do for Mrs James yet.

Campbell died on l'riday, and at the inquest Constables Williamson and McLean gave evidence that they followed Campbell from Nundoora station,and when they arrived at Strip Hut Campbell was in his hut in 8 bunk. He sprang up, seized a gun, and pointed it at the oousfcables. Wiliamson said, "I'm a policeman; drop chat guu." As ho did •«ot do so Williamson fired a shot from a vrevolver over his bead, and then two shots direct at Campbell One of the latter shots wounded Campbell, and be then surrendered Deceased was about 110 years of age, a very strong aud muscular man. He would say nothing about his relations, but he is believed to •have come from Melbourne.

Dr Bartley, Government medical officer, said that apparently the bullet went in the abdomen and out the other side. Both James aud his wife were badly hurt. James was now all right, and Mrs Jam«s, though very ill, was likely to recover.

Deceased's djing depositions were put in as evidence, also the following sta emeut be made to Constable Williamson: —"The gun produced is the one I pointed at you. I knew* it was loaded. The loaded gun wbb half-cocked. You did not, in my opinion, fire the first shot over my head. I believe you did tell me to put the gun down alter you fired the first shot. I did not fire to shoot yoa. 1 thought yon were a man with the axe. 1 thought 1 had been told not to give him (the man with tho nxe) a chance. The gnn had a cap on. When 1 told .you the gun was not loaded I meant that it would not go off." The coroner returned the following verdict:—"! find that deceased, -Jack Campbell, a Tarrawiagee, died on May 23rd from the effects of revolver shot wounds inflioted by 'Constable Percy Gordon Williamson in self defence whilst in the execution of his duty at Strip Hut, Nundoora Btation, about 100 miles north of Broken Hill; and 1 further find that the constable was justified iu so shooting."