FIGHT IN A CAMP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 133, 8 June 1925, Page 5

FIGHT IN A CAMP.

MAN SHOT IN THIGH.

HOPE OE RECOVERY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) (.IIEYMOI'TH, Sunday. A fracas in a firewood-cutters' camp six niilis from (Itira on l-'riduv evening resulted in Frederick Eastcrbrook being shot through tlie right thigh, the bone being fractured. The man is now in i.rovmouth Hospital in a precarious condition. It is stated that prior to the affray Henry Thomas llerroii and Frederick Hobson. who were working with Easterbrook, all three being from Christchurch, bad bad a number of drinks at a neighbouring bush inn. following previous drinks earlier at the camp. On the return of the men to the camp in the evening Eastcrbrook kicked over a teapot, fur which llerron. the boss of the party, took him to task. Later, when the oilier two were seated in Ilerron's tent, Eastcrbrook appeared with a pun and attompt.-d to bit llerron on the In-ad with the stuck, but a rope :U tbe roof of the tent deflected the blow, which only grazed Ilerron's bead. llerron grappled with Eastcrbrook, nnd the gun exploded in the scuffle, tbe shot passing through K.istorbrook's thigh and entering the jamb of the door. The police ascertained thai the gun was not loaded at midday, when it was examined by a visitor to the camp. Peter lluttolu. who brought tbe few bottles of beer consumed in the camp before the visit to the bush inn. Easierbrook, who was conveyed by ambulance to the hospital during the night, alleged that Herr.in hud shot him, but Hobson, win, is Kasterhrook's workmate, corroborated Ilerron's account that the gun exploded ill the scullle. Tbe police later found the gun bent and smashed. llerron and Hobson conveyed Eastcrbrook to Otira for lirst aid immediately after tbe explosion, when he lost a lot of blood. No artery was severed, and Eastcrbrook has a chance of recovery.