GUN PLAY IN COAL YARDS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 284, 26 August 1922, Page 4

GUN PLAY IN COAL YARDS

SHOTS AT CLOSE RANGE TWO CONSTABLES FIRED AT SENSATION AT PETONE CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED MURDER A coal yard situated In Fltzherbert Street, Petone, was the scene of a sensational occurrence yesterday morning when two constables attached to the local force were fired at at point-blank range with a sevenchambered revolver. The sequel was the appearance at the Petone Court shortly afterwards of one Benjamin Jones', against whom were preferred two charges of attempted murder.

At about 10 am. yesterday morning, in pursuance of an instruction from Senior-Sergeant Bird, of Petone, Constables Harrison and Morrison visited the house, of Benjamin Jones, a coal dealer, residing at 39 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, for the purpose of executing a distress warrant to cover a,fine relating to ft breach of a by-law. SEIZURE OF A VEHICLE Upon their arrival. Constables Harrison explained the nature of the business and proceed, to read LKe •warrant.. Jones stated that “he did not want to hear it,” whereupon Constable Morrison attempted to seize a dray standing in the yard.

DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT The next incident was 'sudden and dramatic. Jones, it is alleged, drew a seven-chambered revolver and fired at the officer, but fortunately the shot went wide of its, mark. Constable Harrison rushed to his companion s assistance, only to have a shot directed at him, but again the bullet missed. A DESPERATE STRUGGLE Constable Harrison succeeded: in throwing Jones to the ground, end then ensued a strenuous fight for possession of the weapon. During the course of the struggle Jones fired two more shots at the constables, but neither of them did any damage. After great difficulty, the police officers, assisted by Henry Ryder, a butcher, who lives nearby, gained possession of the weapon and handcuffed Jones, taking him to the police.station in the dray the seizure, of winch had been the purpose of their visit. THE WEAPON USED

The revolver used was a .22 sevenchambered rim-fire, made by the Richnrefeon Arms Co., and called the Young America. When secured it contained six cartridges, four of which were spent, and one of the two loaded snowed signs of having mis-fired., CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER Jones subsequent!v made his appearance before Mr. D. M. Armstrong. J.P., at the local Police. Court, charged that: ' “On August 25, 1922. »t Petone, he did attempt to murder Frederick Charles Harrison, police constable, and, also, on the same day, he did attempt to murder Bert bponcer Morrison, police constable Accused was remanded until September 2. and was removed to tho Terrace Gaol.