SINGULAR CASE OF SHOOTING.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1605, 6 April 1875, Page 3

SINGULAR CASE OF SHOOTING.

It is not often in New Zealand that newspapers have to record cases of deliberate shooting, such as are to© common in San Francisco and along the Pacific Coast of America, but an instance of the kind has occurred in our own neighbourhood, and the cause, we believe, as is usual in such cases, a woman. Thei c has for some time past been a feud existing between two men--one a packer named Edwards, the other a faushman named Toovey. Edwards, whether rightly or wrongly, has been under the impression that Toovey had stolen his (Edwards') wife, and some time ago both men were iip at the Police Court on a charge of fighting in the streets. The charge against Edwards was withdrawn, and Toovey was remanded. Subsequently the case against Toovey was withdrawn, after a day's remand, but he was then prosecuted for stealing some goods belonging to Edwards. These goods consisted of clothing, which at the same time were on Edwards' wife. When the case was heard it was dismissed, and for several months nothing more was heard of the feud between the parties. It appears, however, that Edwards, although defeated in the law Courts, was determined to have it out of lovey in some way. The latter, being a man about six feet high, and heavy in proportion, and Edwards little more than five feet, and a very light weight, it was no use in his challenging Toovey to, a trial of strength, and he evidently meditated on the best course to pursue. Whether this was so or not, the circumstance to which we have alluded showed that he was prepared for an emergency. On Sunday night, about 5 o'clock, Edwards went into a whare about nine miles up the Kauwaeranga river, which was occupied by Toovey and a man named Leather. Apparently without provocation, nothing being said, Edwards, drawing his right hand from behind his back, presented a singlebarrelled pistol and called on Toovey, who was lying down at the time, to rise and stand up, that he was going to shoot him. He pulled the trigger, but the pistol missed fire. Leather then expostulated with Edwards, and thought to take the pistol from him, but he was too far off, Edwards then 'presented the pistol at Leather and told him not to interfere or he would shoot him. By this time Toovey was on his feet, and Leather advised him to ran across the creek. He may have intended to follow the advice, but he did not do so, and Edwards again presenting the pistol, tired. It was loaded with shot, and the charge lodged in Toovey's leg, just below the knee. Leather then got hold of Edwards to prevent him from doing further mischief, and after attending to Toovey's wound, he marched Edwards to another hut further down the creek, when, not knowing what to do with bis prisoner, he adopted the very natural course of letting him go. The wounded man was brought to town yesterday afternoon by Leather, and conveyed to the hospital. Leather then gave information to the police, and Inspector Bui ten despatched two constables in search of Edwards, He was found by Constable Day in a hut about six miles up the Kauwaeranga river, and with the assistance of Constable Furlong, he was brought to the station-house at Shortland. He will be- brought up at the Police Court this'morning.