RECKLESS SHOOTING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 92, 22 April 1891, Page 8

RECKLESS SHOOTING.

ACCIDENT TO A VOLUNTEER.

A very painful and serious accident occurred lastnight at the volunteer sham-fight atNorfchShore to avolunteer, Colour-Sergeant Taylor, of the City Guards. There is grave fear that the mishap may deprive Mr Taylor of the sight of his left eye at least. It seems that when the Auckland Navals had landed from Rangifcoto Channel and were marching on the Rifle Companies' camp at Cheltenham Beach they came in contact with a " hostile" party of pickets and outposts on Stark's Point. Sergeant Taylor was in charge of this detachment of outposts, and in accordance with the instructions given him he retired before the "enemy," firing as he and his men fell back on the camp. Either he was too slow or some of the Navals were too hasty, for ono of the attacking force rushed up and discharged his carbine point-blank at Taylor, who was hardly two yards away. Blank cartridges wore of course used, aud the charge struck Taylor full in the face, injuring his loft eye, and partially stunning him. Howashelpod to camp, and it was found thoro that ho was seriously hurt, boing temporarily quite blind. Last night he was taken to Dr. Wilkins. of Auckland, and placed undor his care. Dr. Wilkins found that the grains of powder had scattered all over his face and neck, the fire scorching him slightly, and that ono grain had penetrated the loft eyeball, quite destroying the sight of that eye for the time being. The eye is suffused with blood, and the extent of the injury is as yeb uncertain. It is hoped that the ova may be saved. The patient is being carefully attended to by Dr. Wilkins. Captain Kohn has undertaken on behalf of the corps to pay the modical and other expenses. The accident should serveas a warning to volunteers in future circumstances of the sorb. No doubt the mishap was caused through undue excitement and carelessness on the part of the Naval who fired the unlucky shot. As a matter of fact, the regulations provide that no shot shall bo fired at a loss distance than, we believe, fifty yards, and an inquiry is likely to be held into the whole affair.