SENSATION IN WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2080, 4 January 1908, Page 3

SENSATION IN WELLINGTON.

AIAX KILLED IN THE HEART OE THE CITY.

FATALITY THE RESULT OF A. STREET QUARREL.

THE ASSAILANT CHARGED WITH MURDER.

(Special to Times). WELLINGTON, Jan. 3. A sensation was caused in the centre of the business part of tlie city to-day by the death of a man as the result of a quarrel with James Sheridan. who has since been arrested tor murder. The man appeared t.o be the worse for liquor, and it is alleged that iSheridan vas taking him away from some man- who. wanted to get his money. According to an eyewitness. the men quarrelled, and Sheridan struck his companion on the face. The latter fell to the ground and quickly expired. At the time of the occurrence Constable Clay was coming along Lambton Quay on a tram car, and when he saw’ Sheridan running. he promptly got off and chased Sheridan and caught him. Sheridan was taken to tlie police station. He is about 30 years of age, and is a son of Mr. Lb Sheridan, of Wellington. AA’lien the body was searched at the .morgue nothing was found to identify it. The only writing discovered in urn- of the pockets was on a pawn ticket for a silver watch in Sheridan's name. The clothing had no marks to assist die police. Deceased was a mail of about middle age. of medium height, well proportioned, and apparently powerful. His dark hair was close cut and slightly turning grey. The ipan alleged to be responsible for the tragedy, James Sheridan, lias been charged with murder, and will ho brought before the Police Court to-morrow.

Considerable .surprise was occasioned in the city this afternoon when it became known that the accused person concerned in the tragedy which occurred this afternoon was the son of ail old and well-known officer of the Native‘Lands Department.

. FURTHER PARTICULARS. AN EYE WITNESS’S STORY. Press Association. YYE L LING TON, Jan. 3. A tragedy which resulted in the death of a middle-aged man, said to be John McAiiallv, occurred in tlio city this afternoon. James Rickard, a builder’s laborer employed by J a ires Trevor and Son, contractors lor the erection, of the Now Zealand Insurance Company’s new build'.ig at ‘.fit corner of Lambton Quay and Grey Street, states that he iiv two n< n approach tlio vacant space at tlio it nr of tho building shortly alter 2 o’clock. Ono of them (tho deceased) was apparently drunk, and tho other also appeared to bo slightly under tho influence of drink. Rickard, who had occasion to enter Mr. Trevor’s temporary works office, wondered wliat the men were about, and lie asked them what they were doing. Ho received a reply from one of the men (whoso name is understood to bo James Sheridan and who has now been arrested) that ho (Sheridan) was taking his companion away from “tlie other men so that they would not get his money.” Both men then sat down on a vacant space near the rear wall of Young’s Buildings. After they had been talking for some time one of the men endeavored to get up, but his companion would not let him. They squabbled for a time, and Rickard alleges that McAnally tlieu struck Sheridan and struggled to liis feet and commenced to make liis way into Featherston street. The eye-witness of tho occurrence says that Sheridan Followed McAnally, and when tho latter turned round apparently tp remonstrate with him Sheridan, it is alleged. struck him on the face, and he fell to*tho ground and quickly expired. YY 7 ELLINGTON, Jon. 3. .Later parlicujijrs of to-day’s tragedy show that deceased was a wharf laborer residing in Pipitoa Street. He loaves a widow hut no children. When his clothes were searched by tho police C 27 10s was found in the pockets. Sheridan is n carpenter.