FATALLY SHOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 129, 3 June 1930, Page 5

FATALLY SHOT.

SENSATION IN HAMILTON.

SHOOTING GALLERY OWNER

THE VICTIM.

ACCIDENT AT WINTER SHOW,

(By .Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON, this day.

A sensation was caused shortly after seven o'clock last evening when the owner of a shooting gallery at the Waikato Winter Show, Mr. Joseph.Bertram Dufty, aged 43, of Oxford Street, Claudelands, was fatally shot through the accidental discharge of a .22 calibre rifle.

The fatality was apparently accidental, Mr. Dufty being shot through the heart bv a rifle in the hands of-a'Hindu, Ranchhad Sukha, aged 19, employed in the kitchen of the Savoy Cafe. It appears that Mr. Dufty was standing in the space between the firing barrier and the moving targets. One man was firing and the Hindu, having paid a shilling for > six shots, was holding the loaded rifle with the barrel resting on his left forearm, the muzzle pointing slightly downwards, awaiting his turn to fire. He was unaccustomed to firearms and was interfering tfith the breach when the rifle went off just as Mr. Dufty bent down to pick up something from the ground. The bullet pierced his chest and passed through his heart. Mr. Dufty straightened himself for a moment, raised his hand to his heart, and fell back dead.

On realising what had happened, the Hindu, Vho speaks only broken English, called out, "I did it, I did it!" He was obviously much distressed. ; There were not many people about at the time, but later, as crowds assembled, the news caused a great sensation, as Mr. Dufty was a well known and very popular citizen of Hamilton, where he had resided many years.

Mr. Joe Dufty was one of the best - known athletic figures in the Waikato. A carter by occupation, he was married, and augmented his income .by operating sideshows at the regattas and agricultural shows throughout the Waikato and Thames districts. He was an athlete and took part in many wrestling contests with considerable success. He had also been a prominent League and Rugby footballer. He played senior cricket. Ma Duftv did not leave any children.