Dreadful Murder.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 487, 31 July 1890, Page 2

Dreadful Murder.

POLICEMAN SHOT THROUGH THE HEART. MURDERER SHOT DOWN. Auckland, last night. A dreadful affair took place at Dargaville this morning, between 12 and 1 o’clock. Const. Neil was leaving Kripara for Auckland, being shifted to another locality, and he and his wife and family left by the steamer Minnie Casey at midnight tor Helensville. By the time the steamer arrived at the Mangawhare Mills wharf, about halt a mile down the Wairoa river, one or the passengers, a man named George Fruke, a foreigner employed either as gum digger or bushman. had made himself jvery obnoxious to passengers. He made use of] much iadecent language, and aroused terror among the females and children by brandishing a gun about and threatening tbe passengers. When tha steamer arrived alongside Mangawhare, Captain Rawson put Fruke ashore. Constable Scott, who was on board, retained tha man’s gun in order to prevent him from doing any injury on shore. Just as the vessel started to move out again to continue her trip down to Helensville, Fruke drew a loaded revolver which he had concealed about him, and started firing at the steamer. The first shot brought death to Constable McLeod, the bullet going through his heart. The unfortunate man fell on the deck, exclaiming “ My God 1” and instantly expired. There was a scene of terrible consternation amongst the passengers. The steamer was at once headed back for Dargaville. Fruke was seen to be armed. Those on board the steamer called on the murderer to throw up his hands and surrender. No answer was returned. He was then challenged several times. A blank cartridge was fired at him, but he still refused to give himself up. At last one of the party fired a charge of shot at him from a fowling piece, hitting him on the body. A number of the party then jumped ashore, and securing the man made him a prisoner after but slight resistance. Very great excitement was aroused at the occurence, and the popular indignation was so high that tbe prisoner narrowly escaped being lynched summarily. The man Is seriously wounded by the charge of shot. Constable McLeod had been stationed in Dargaville for a considerable time past, and was very popular and well liked. He was presented with a farewell address couched in very flattering terms, and signed by 100 residents of the place. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order, being ' Worshipful Master of St. George’s Lodge. He was somewhat over 40 years of age, and leave s a widow and several children. One of the deceased’s brothers is providers of the Northern Steamship Co’s steamers, and another a proprietor of a local basket factory.