TO STAND TRIAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 99, 7 February 1936, Page 3

TO STAND TRIAL

ALLEGED CHALLENGE TO DUEL. PRODUCTION OF REVOLVERS. (Special to the “Guardian. ) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Allegations of a challenge to a due with revolvers, at a house situated at 3-5 Estuary Road, Redcliffs, were made in the Magistrate’s Court, befoie Mi E C. Levvey, S.M., yesterday when Charles Roland Talbot, plunder and labourer, aged 29, was charged that on January 27, at Redcliffs, with intent to do grievous bodily harm he attempted to discharge a loaded revolvei at John. Praetor Fox. Talbot pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the who' examined Fox on January 27. said ho fouad. on the • CTht cide of the head a small con tused wound, which might have been caused by a blunt instrument such as he had known Talbot for 17 years, and for six months the accused had boarded in wiWs house Last month Fox disclaimed liability for debts contracted m his name At 8 p.m. on Januaij 2i, iai bot called at Fox’s house and accused him of spreading rumours, at the Sail time producing two revolvers, one o which he threw to Fox. Fox saw that it was loaded, and he refused to fight, throwing the revolver down and caU g to a neighbour, Cossai.' As turned around he was struck on side of the head. Talbot covered him with a revolver and when Cossar airived they went into the kitchen. Y hen Cossar was called away a short later, Talbot locked the door and demanded that Fox make a public apology for his earlier disclaimer. lox attempted to open the door and Talbot said, “If you open it, gone. When the witness had partly opened the door, Talbot pressed the muzzle of the revolver against Fox’s chest and Fox heard the sound of the striking pin being released. At that moment, Constable Johns and Constable Grayburn arrived. Talbot was sober, bu very angry. ~ •, In answer to Mr Lascelles, Fox said he attributed a coolness between nis wife and himself to the presence ol Talbot. The Revolvers Tesfied. Professor P. T. Powell, professor of electrical engineering at Canterbury University College, who examined the revolvers, said he had discharged both, one- misfiring twice in five cartridges, and the other not misfiring at all. One cartridge, which he was shown, appeared to have misfired. Amy Fox, wife of John Proctor Fox, said that Talbot left her home because of a conversation about the lack of privacy. Witness was away from home on January 27, and dis not hear of the trouble until 11 p.m. Cross-examined, the witness said that Talbot’s mental condition and temperament had become worse during recent months, and lie seemed worried, wheieas previously he had been of a very cheerful disposition. Esme Frances Fox, daughter of the previous witness, corroborated her mother’s evidence. Fox had been treating his wife rather harshly lately, she said. • John Cossar gave evidence of answering Fox’s call. When he appeared at the house, Talbot was very heated, but he later cooled down. Constable Cecil Grayburn said lie went to Fox’s house with Constable Johns. Accused was inside the back door with a revolver in his hand and the witness immediately seized him and took the revolver away. A search revealed the other weapon, and both were found to be loaded. * Talbot seemed very excited, and admitted striking Fox on the head. Talbot also said, “I offered to fight a duel and threw the revolver at his feet, but he was not game to pick it up.” The constable told Mr Lascelles that Talbot, when arrested, did not appear to realise the seriousness of the position, as he joked and even sang. Dectective Frank Sinclair said Talbot told him that Fox was given the chance of the first shot. Later he admitted having pressed the revolver against Fox, but denied pressing the trigger.