Struck By Bullet

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 18

Struck By Bullet

Mrs R. E. Weatherall, of 15 Chelsea street, Linwood, was hit by a spent bullet from a .22 rifle on Sunday morning while she was waiting in Linwood avenue to see the Queen Mother drive by on her way to Christchurch Cathedral.

A pilot car had driven by, but the Royal entourage was several minutes away, when Mrs Weatherall was struck in the left arm. She wrapped a handkerchief around the wound and stayed to see the Queen Mother go by.

The Commissioner of Police (Mr C. L. Spencer) said later that Mrs Weatherall had been taken to hospital and discharged after a bullet had

been taken from a wound four inches above her wrist. Four boys aged between 13 and 16 years of age who had been playing in the backyard of a house in Mackworth street, more than 600 yards from where Mrs Weatherall was standing, were later interviewed by the police, who took possession of a .22 rifle. Rumours that a shot had been fired at the Queen Mother spread quickly, and even reached the GovernorGeneral (Sir Bernard Fergusson) in Auckland during the afternoon; but he was assured that the incident had nothing to do with the Royal visit. Two of the boys visited Mrs Weatherail’s home and apologise! to her yesterday.