BULLET IN HEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 7

BULLET IN HEAD.

FAMILY SENSATION.

Man Shot While at Crossword

Puzzle.

YOUNG FARMER ARRESTED.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 30. While Mr. Charles Stephen, a retired civil servant of Ringwood, near Southampton, was peacefully attempting to solve a crossword puzzle, John Hill, aged 29, a poultry farmer, the adopted son of Mr. Stephen's sister, who had bequeathed him her property after Mr. Stephen's death, entered the room. Mr. Stephen asked if he could finish the puzzle. Hill, after writing down words leading to the impression that he was drunk, dropped the crossword puzzle and went to the desk.

An explosion followed and Mr. Stephen fell on his knees with a pistol bullet in Ms head. He was not seriously hurt, and ran out of the house shouting "Help!"

Hill, exclaiming that it was an accident, followed him and brought a constable to the cottage, where he submitted to arrest.

Hill, who declared that he sliot Mr. Stephen unintentionally, aftei , loading a pistol to kill rats in the fowlhouse, was committed for trial on charges of malicious -wounding, possessing firearms without authority and stealing and forging cheques bearing Mr. Stephen's name to the amount of £90.