TARADALE SHOOTING AFFAIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1033, 24 January 1911, Page 4

TARADALE SHOOTING AFFAIR.

. 4 — ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Napier, January 23. A middle-aged man named Alexander Strachan, who shot at Herbert Sidney Bradley at Taradale on Wednesday last, the bullet'lodging in a serviette.contained in Bradley's lunch bag, appeared at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., charged with shooting at Bradley with intent to do grievous bodily harm. . ' Evidence was given to the effect that Strachan was drinking on Monday and Tuesday, and had talked of shooting his wife and committing, suicide. Ho was heard to say there would be tho biggest tragedy that ever hannened in Taradale. Strachan quarrelled with Bradley twelve months ago, and though it was not serious, he always referred to it when (trunk. He is a prohibited person, and previouslv served a term of imprisonment for procuring liquor. There were no signs of liquor on him on Wednesday, lie purchased a 32 calibre revolver on Tuesday, and fifty cartridges for pig shooting. The bullet found bore rifling marks corresponding to the barrel of the revolver. When he rushed at Bradley ho shouted, "I'll shoot you. I'll murder you." When arrested Strachan said, "I am glad I didn't shoot Win, Murder was never in my mind." ' . ~.„■• Counsel for the defence'said:.- 'Accused says he does not remember .anything that occurred on Wednesday evening. He was suffering from the effects of drink.' . He pleads!not guilty." l L .■; •<,. , Accused was committed for. trial at the Supreme Court. -His, Worship did not think it was a case ill which bail -should be allowed. It came within the case Regina v. Valli. The evidence tended to suggest mental degeneration. , Assuming the evidence were true it .might be • serious and dangerous to allow bail,;