FARMER HIT BY SHOOTERS9 CAR

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31763, 21 August 1968, Page 1

FARMER HIT BY SHOOTERS 9 CAR

When he was attempting to apprehend some shooters on Monday evening, a North Canterbury farmer was knocked over by their car and slightly injured.

The farmer, Mr E. N. Miles, of Mount Thomas Road, Fernside. said that he was saying goodbye to visitors about 10 p.m., when he noticed a car driving past. He heard several shots and saw a spotlight being used by one of the shooters. Mr Miles and a friend called to the shooters but they accelerated away. Concerned for the safety of a pet deer and a flock of stud sheep beside the road where the shooters were firing, Mr Miles and his friend set off in another car.

The chase covered eight miles and reached speeds of 65 miles an hour before the shooters’ car was overtaken. Mr Miles got out of his car and waved to the shooters to stop. The car slowed, then

accelerated, swerved on to the grass verge on the left side of the road and knocked Mr Miles over before passing his car on the inside. Mr Miles required medical attention.

The pursuit was taken up again but the shooters' car appeared to have its lights turned off and Mr Miles and his friend soon lost sight of it The matter was then reported to the Rangiora police.

Mr Miles said that spotlight shooters had plagued the area and had at times trespassed on his land.

Sergeant W. Watson, of the Rangiora police, said that many farmers from Fernside, Cust, and other places near Rangiora, had reported illegal shooting from the roadside.