ROSS SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20648, 10 September 1932, Page 16

ROSS SHOOTING AFFRAY.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER. POTTER'S DEPOSITIONS TAKEN. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEQ&AU..) GREYMOUTH, September 9. Atliol Crowe Potter, the victim of the Ross shooting dffray, is reported to be in a serious condition. The bullet has not been located. The Hokitika police this afternoon took George Muir to the bedside of Potter at the Westland Hospital, where the Magistrate's Court proceedings were opened by Mr W. Meldrum, S.M. Accused was charged with attempted murder. Dr. Wilson, hospital superintendent, said Potter's injuries were such as could be caused by a .22 bullet, an object of which nature an X-ray examination had disclosed. Potter aaid ho was 39 years of age - and bad been prospecting with. C. Highet for some ihonths, 18 miles from Ross at Totara. ; They visited ltoss every four weeks, .becoming acquainted witn accused. Witness and Highet on September '7th arrived at Ross at U p.m., put their ■wa.gs » * „ I*s „ by permission of the owner, Peebles, and went to an hotpl. Accused there coined them and all shouted. Iney left the hotel after midnight. Thcy told Muir they had taken Peebles s bach, and be went there with them. They commenced making up the bunks. Muir said witness was hiding thing from Highet, but wouldnotsay what. Highet then ordered out and he went. Ten minutes later .Mmr was heard outside calling; Come nere, Alex, I want you," meaning witness. Both told him to go away. He .kept calling, so witness went out, Highet following him. Muir said to speak confidentially to witness, who went over to where he pt°°d on opposite side of the path. 0«. ing"What do you want!" Muir replied, "You are hiding something from your mate. Why don't you tell hl WitoßS said W oonU.gefe out of Muir, and told; him that if M did not go away he would boot mm out. Muir rusted towards & witness following four paces behind. Then he saw a flash and felt that he was hit in the left side. Accused was 20 feet Away when witness was shot. He said he saw no gun but » could have been against the fence and Picked up by Muir. Nobody eUe was near Highet or the bach at the time> Witness had only met Muir a few times. Be knew of no reason'why Muir should fir® at him. , __ , The hearing was then adjourned.