HIGHWAY SENSATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9598, 9 February 1910, Page 5

HIGHWAY SENSATION.

BANK OFFICIAL SHOT AT

(By Telegravh — Fress Association.) HAMILTON, Tuesday

What is regarded as a deliberate attempt at highway robbery was made near here to-day, when a clerk from a local bank, while proceeding to the •Ohaupo stock sale with a bag of money, was fired at from a clump of ti-tree by the roadside, and received a charge of shot full iv the face. It appears that W. L. Ward, the manager of the Hamilton branch of the Hank of Australasia, and Leslie Jordau, the ledger-keeper at the Bank of New Zealand, were driving together in a buggy to Ohaupo, where ■their respective banks have receiving offices. It is customary for these officials to go to Ohaupo on Tuesday each week, carrying with them sums of money.

Ward was driving, and when in a dip of the road at what is locally known as Mystery Creek, which is on either side by a some•wha'Jßteep rise, the report of a gun rang out, presumably from a clump of bushes on the left side. This was at about eleven o'clock.

Jordan receiver] the charge of shot in the side of his race and also in his neck, arm and chest. He fell over against his companion, bleeding profusely. The horse immediately ran away, tut the driver (Ward) succeeded in quiefceuiug it and then drew a revolver which he always carried on the trip. He looked around for soma evidence as to the origin of the shot, but none could be seen, the abseuce of smoke making it appear that smokeless powder was used. Ward then drove to the nearest hous9, where first aid was rendered to Jordau, and afterwards drove him to the Waikato Hospital, where he now lies. There seems little doubt that a deliberate attempt was made at highway robbery, and the wouder is that both men were not killed outright. Ward miraculously escaped without a scratch, although he felt the conof the air as the shots struck Jordan.

The iu]ured man is twenty-six age, and has been connected with Hamilton brauch of the Bank of New Zealand for about two years. His injuries are not veiy serious, althongh he wa-< literally peppered with the shots witli which the gun was loaded. Fortuuately his eyes were uninjured, although the force of the ahot blew his false teeth plate out of his mouth. The police, aided by civilians, are now scouring the country in search of v the assailant.