ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 140, 9 March 1929, Page 10

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER

SENSATION AT PAPANUI MAN SHOT FROM BEHIND ■ . Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, March 8. Frederick Richardson, aged 56, of 45 Greens Road, Papanui, was arrested this morning and charged with the attempted murder of John Armstrong, aged 42, a married man, of 115 Salisbury Street. It is alleged that Armstrong visited Richardson’s home about 8.30 o'clock this morning and had occasion to speak to Richardson. An argument ended in a shotgun being fired and Armstrong was hit in the back and neck. A neighbour, who was attracted by the shot, immediately telephoned the police, and detectives and constables rushed to the scene by car. Richardson made no attempt to escape, and was arrested and taken to the Central Police StatlO Armstrong was removed to the Christchurch Hospital. His condition is quite satisfactory. It was stated that he was able to walk into the hospital. ' ■ It appears that Mrs. Bartlett, who lives next door to Richardson’s, had been staying with Mrs. Armstrong in Salisbury Street, and returned home on Wednesday. On Thursday Armstrong called, and on being told that Mrs. Bartlett had left her sewing machine behind, he promised to deliver it, which he did this morning. When leaving, Mr. Bartlett mentioned that the gate leading from the road to the right-of-way, which leads to the houses about two chains back, had been left open the previous day, and that Richardson blamed Armstrong for it. ‘‘l always shut it,” said Armstrong. “I will go in and tell him that I didn't” He crossed the right-of-way to Richardson’s, and was at once challenged. “Get off my property or I will shift you off,'.’ is what Richardson is alleged to have said. Armstjpng at once left and was walking across the right-of-way when a shot was fired. Armstrong had paid no serious attention to Richardson’s words, and walked leisurely across the right-of-way, leading by the hand Mr. Bartlett’s tiny daughter of about two years. He had almost reached Mr. Bartlett’s gate, about 30 feet away, when the shot was fired. Pellets entered Armstrong’s shoulder and neck, one narrowly missing the jugular vein ill the neck.

Mr. Armstrong staggered through the gate and collapsed on the garden side. He then got up again and staggered into the house, and again collapsed in the front bedroom. Armstrong was given what attention was possible, and the police and medical aid were at once summoned. Armstrong had recovered to a great extent from the shock when he left for the hospital. Both houses at the scene of the shooting are in a secluded area. A sign-post stands in a conspicuous place at the front of Richardson's property, bearing the notice: “I am not responsible for the condition of the right-of-way. I have always done my bit.—F. Richardson.”

Richardson appeared very nervous when he stood in the dock at the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, when a charge of attempted murder was preferred against him. He was remanded until March 15.