NAPIER SHOOTING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1945, Page 6

NAPIER SHOOTING

CHARGE OF MURDER

SEAMAN BEFORE COURT

NAPIER, Monday

Handcuffed to a constable, Martin James Eyles appeared in the Napier Court on Saturday morning, charged with the murder of Charles Edmund Swain at Napier on Friday. His arrest resulted from the shooting affray in Napier. Accused was remanded by justices of the peace until January 8. Accused was described on the charge sheet as a seaman and waterside worker, aged 44. He was dressed £ a blue suit and a bloodstained white shirt, without collar or tie. He was wearing a panama hat. Acused arrived at the Court and reuS to the lock-up in a taxi with a constable sitting on each side of him in the rear seat. He was not represented by counsel. Inspector D. C. Cameron appeared for the police, and when he applied for a remand accused was asked if he was agreeable. Accused said he would consent to the vided he could receive attention from a doctor. He said he had been winded and had had no treatmen^ Mr. Cameron said a doctoi haa examined accused, who had been sent to the hospital soon after his arrest being later returned to the fock-up The wound was superficial and did not require any further freatment. No doubt further treat ment would be given in gaol if it became necessary. The remand was granted. A Woman's Experience A fortunate escape is recorded By Mrs. It Kennedy, of Napier, who was near where Mrs.The ma Akock need 26 a housemaid at the empire Hotel was wounded. Mrs. Kennedy savE; thai? she was outside the post office with a friend when she heard shots At the same moment she felt a blow on her handbag, which she was carrying under her arm. Subsequently she found that a bulS bag T a h nd b lSed V ?o S the police. Evidence at Inquests Inquests concerning the deaths of Charles Edmund Swain, hotel porter single, aged 50, and John Bai i y Bertram Howe aged 14, a Palmerston North schoolboy, who were fatally shot in the affray, was opened John Kvle, licensee of the Caledonian Hotel, where Swain was employed said he heard shots, in the public bar. On investigating, he found Swain lying face downward on the passage floor outside the bai door. . Giving evidence concerning the death of the boy, Howe Dr. J. J. Foley, medical superintendent of the Napier Hospital, said that the deceased died from a gunshot wound in the head at 6.43 p.m. R J Howe, father of the boy, said that his wife and son had come to Napier for a holiday and were staying at the Lowry camping grounds. Witness and his wife had walked to town on Friday afternoon, having arranged to meet their son at the post office, as he was riding his bicycle.

The inquest was adjourned sine die. .