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Neil McLeod (police officer)
Encyclopedia
Neil McLeod was a Constable of the New Zealand Police
. He was shot dead while aboard the steamer Minnie Casey at Mangawhare Wharf (near Dargaville
) by gum-digger
Henry Funcke.
McLeod, his wife and family were travelling to Auckland
, having boarded the steamer at Dargaville. Funcke also came aboard at Dargaville, with a gun, a concealed revolver and a knife. Funcke was very noisy during the trip, and the captain of the Minnie Casey took away his gun. Just after the steamer left Mangawhare Wharf, he threatened to shoot some of the passengers if he did not get his gun back. The steamer put back to Mangawhare Wharf, and Constables McLeod and Scott took Funcke ashore. From the shore Funcke once more demanded his gun as the Minnie Casey left again, and fired five shots at the departing steamer. Standing at the railing, McLeod was hit in the chest by the third shot. He exclaimed "My God" and died.
The steamer returned to Dargaville, where McLeod's body was taken off. A group of settlers armed themselves with rifles, and led by Constables Scott and Carr, walked back to Mangawhare Wharf in pursuit. The group found Funcke still at the wharf, and demanded he surrender. He lifted up his hands as if to fire and was shot twice, in the groin and chest, fell, and was arrested.
McLeod's body was taken to Auckland for burial.
New Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
. He was shot dead while aboard the steamer Minnie Casey at Mangawhare Wharf (near Dargaville
Dargaville
Dargaville is a town in the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the bank of the Northern Wairoa River in the Northland region. The town is located 55 kilometres southwest of Whangarei....
) by gum-digger
Gum-digger
Kauri gum, a fossilized resin detracted from kauri trees, is used for chewing or tattooing, and often is made into jewellery. The gum comes from kauri trees found in Agathis australis forests. The trees once covered much of the New Zealand North Island, before Māori and European settlers caused...
Henry Funcke.
McLeod, his wife and family were travelling to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, having boarded the steamer at Dargaville. Funcke also came aboard at Dargaville, with a gun, a concealed revolver and a knife. Funcke was very noisy during the trip, and the captain of the Minnie Casey took away his gun. Just after the steamer left Mangawhare Wharf, he threatened to shoot some of the passengers if he did not get his gun back. The steamer put back to Mangawhare Wharf, and Constables McLeod and Scott took Funcke ashore. From the shore Funcke once more demanded his gun as the Minnie Casey left again, and fired five shots at the departing steamer. Standing at the railing, McLeod was hit in the chest by the third shot. He exclaimed "My God" and died.
The steamer returned to Dargaville, where McLeod's body was taken off. A group of settlers armed themselves with rifles, and led by Constables Scott and Carr, walked back to Mangawhare Wharf in pursuit. The group found Funcke still at the wharf, and demanded he surrender. He lifted up his hands as if to fire and was shot twice, in the groin and chest, fell, and was arrested.
McLeod's body was taken to Auckland for burial.