SHOOTING AFFRAY

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 2

SHOOTING AFFRAY

SEQUEL TO DOMESTIC TROUBLES.

BUSINESS MAN CHARGED.

After The Post had gone to press yesterday, further evidence was heard ia the Magistrate's Court in the case against Joseph Boucher, cycle manufacturer, who was charged with shooting at Arthur Stephen Burling with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Mr. W. G. Riddel 1, S.M., was on the bench. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for the accused.

Evidence was given by Dr. C. Pattie, who stated that he was called 'to accused's house, BaJlena Bay, on the day of the alleged offence, accused stating that jig thought he had shot somebody. He found Darling lying on. a bed in a drunken condition. "Durling complained that'he had been shot, and upon examination witness found that what first appeared to be a- wound was merely tin abrasion on the left side. It appeared from examination of the injured man's clothing that the bullet had glanced off the rib, causing only a slight surface wound. There was also a scalp wound, which might have been cau-sed by a blow from the revolver. Neither of' the wounds was of a serious nature. The only explanation given by Boucher to witness was that he had said something to Duiiing at the table,, and that the latter went round and attacked Boucher. That was the immediate cause- of the trouble.

Arthur Stephen Durling, who described himself as an hotel steward and a returned soldier, stated that he had been living with Boucher as a paying boarder for about five months. He first had a disagreement with Boucher on Friday, 21st July. On that day Mrs. Boucher asked him to go to Boucher's shop to get half-a-crown for some medicine. He received the money and was told to clear out of the shop. He returned to Boucher's house in the evening and became considerably annoyed at Boucher calling him "an English ." Next morning the accused's little girl gave witness a letter, in which Boucher told him to leave the house. Witness went into town to look for new lodgings and returned to the house in the evening. The family was having tea, and witness sat down in the room. Ec admitted lie was in a drunken condition. Boucher made an objectionable remark to Durling, whereupon the latter went round the table to deal with him. He caught hold of Boucher by the shoulders, and the shooting thereupon took place. Two shots were fired by Boucher^ the first striking the left side of the head and the second causing the injury to the side. The only motive for the act, as far as witness knew, was jealousy, for which accused Imd no reason.

To Mr. Jackson: On one occasion he took Mrs. Boucher to a house in Willisstreet, and introduced her 'as his "missus," meaning hie. wife. Mr. Jackson.: When you were employed at the Civil Service 'Club did you ask the chief steward for leave of absence to go to Auckland because your sister was dead?— Yes. That was a lie?— Yes. Instead you went out to Boucher's? —Yes. Questioned further by Mr. Jackson, witness denied that he visited Boucher's room several times on the night of Friday, 21st inst, and threatened to knock Boucher's brains out. - Witness was further examined by counsel as to his relations with -Mrs. Boucher. He denied that lie had been familiar with her. The accused, on his own Behalf, said that he took the revolver out of-.: his pocket to frighten Darling, but he was in such a mad state of frenzy at Durling's behaviour that he seemed to partly lose, control of himself. Since the occurrence his wife had disappeared. a.nd he did nob know where she was. In answer to Inspector Hendrey, the accused stated that for some time his wife had hidden the revolver under the house, but he had regained possession of it.

The Magistrate said that the case appeared to be a weak one, the accused apparently having great provocation. The case, however, was" one for a jury to decide, and the accused would be committed to the Supreme, Court for trial. Bail was renewed.