AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 30 December 1907, Page 5

AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

A SAILOR AMOK

FJiRES AT AN OFFICER

THEN SHOOTS HIMSELF

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND. December 28

At about midnight last night a man named McTavish, apparently under the influence of_ liquor, went" on. board the steamer Quinto, which was lying at Queen street wharf. After an alterca-ti-on with some of the officers, whom, by his strange behaviour, he had aroused, , MeTavish produced a revolver, ancl fired at Mr. Sutor, the second mate. . Although! only.a few yards away, Mr. Sutor was not hit. McTavish then ran ta the end of the wharf, where he fired at himself. The bullet entered the side of his face, in iFront of his right ear, piercing the flash through his month. McTavish then fell into the water. The shots aroused Mr. Alfred Paget, a steward on the steamer Hinemoa, whe jumped into the water, seized McTavish, rind held him till ropes and *a lifebelt^ were thiwvn to him, when McTavish was hauled out of the sea. McTavish was sent to thi© hospital, and is now; jn a oritidal condition. He is unknown to Mr. Sutor, and nc reason is assigned for the shooting, excepting that MoTavish was under the influence of drihk. FURTHER DETAILS. The second mate was lying down in his cabin waiting for the return of the captain, who was at the theatre, to deliver up the steamer's papers, pi-epara-tory to the vessel sailing early in fact, "I thought ho was insane,' 5 the second mate declared. Seeing that the* man had no business on board, Mr. Suitor attempted to persuade him to leave peacefully, but he declined. The third mate heard talking in the cabin, and went in. McTavish, whe was sitting down, turned to the third mate and said : "You don't know what a dangerous character you) are- sitting so near to. If you knew you would shift. 5' The officer then noticed McTavish 's co.at bulging; as if a revolver were concealed there.

McTavish; was persuaded to leave the cabin. As he had an inclination tr. spend the night iaboard, he was warned that he would have to get off. McTavish resented this, ana declared he would fight the second; officer if he would go ashore. The latter caw a chance .of ridding: the ship of the man and snid hie would fight- him on shore. McTavish got on the gangway end .went on to the wharf, with the officei a little distance behind him- Mr. Sutor was congratulating himself or. getting MtfTavish clear of the ship withI out any trouble, when suddenly thej man turned round and fired point blank at him. Mr. Sutor was only a few yarde away, still standing on the gangway. Fortulniately for the officer, the shot went wide.

MeTavisli! purchased the revolver one! cartridges yesterday afternoon. Laet evening he proceededl d'qwn to the wharf," about 11.30, under the influence of liquor. He proceeded up the gangway of the steameir and asked if thp, captain or the mate wias on board. . McTavish wlas Itfold Miat meither of them was on board.

_He replied: "I want to see somebody with brass buttons on."

Ashe apneaiecl intent on seeing someone in authority, the watchman showed him th<i wav to the rabin or the second mate. Mr. Herbert Sufcor. Avhose cabir. was very close to the gangway landing.