PETONE SENSATION

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 48, 25 August 1922, Page 8

PETONE SENSATION

TWO CONSTABLES FIRED

'A STRUGGLE IN A COAL YARD

RESIDENT CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER. ,v

; Sensation happeniiigß in a coal yard in Fitzherfeert street, Petone, this"; morning led to the-aweet of a man inamed Benjamin Jones on two charges of-attempt-; «d murder. Tho occurrence followed a vieit to Jones's premises by,, two con•tabtee. ; ■..-,... /" : 2 Constables Hairriaon! and Morrison, '.of: •£he Petone Police Force,, were instructed" ( % Senior-Sergeant Bird, to execute a distress warrant on Jones, whoia a coal dealer at 39, FitzKerbert street, Petone, tya their arrival at the house, Jones came to the door, and the officers explained the nature of the duty they had to perform—the seizure of, a vehicle. .They ihen proceeded^ to take posse*rion of the cart. Jones first attempted to shut tie ianrier leading on to the road, and also Challenged Constable Morrison to touch the vehicle. /Immediately afterwards,.it is alleged, be-drew-a revolver, and fired at the constable, the shot going wid*. Constable Harrison then went to Constable Morrison's; assistance, when Jones fired at him, this shot also missing. Harrison, who was nearest to Jones, threw him on the ground, and both officers tried to secure the revolver. ■ * While the scuffle was going on, Jones flred two more' shots at the constables. Jt is stated'that he pressed the revolver igabst Constable Morrison's; abdomen, Irat just before it was discharged the weapon was kicked out of Jones,'s hand by Constable Harrison. The constables, assisted by Mr. Henry Ryder, secured possession of -.the revolver, handcuffed 'Jones, and took him to the police station in his own-cart. N- ■.; . "'■.-.' ■It wasvonly the courage and prompt action of the constables that averted a serious tragedy. „ ... „.,,_,.... , .... £ Later'accused was charged at the local' Police Court, before Mr. *D. M. Armstrong, .J.P., that on 25th August, 1922, at Petone, he did attempt to murder Frederick Charles Harrison, policer conetable, and also, on the same day, hs did attempt .to murder Bert Spencer-Mor-rison, ;• police' constable. :y. tj Accused was remanded until 2nd September, and was removed to the Terrace #artl. • -,;, .../.;.■„,:.;; i..■,■,.■-.■,,' ' -'The revolver need was a .22 sevenchambered rim-fire, made by the Richardson: Anns Co., and called, the Young America. When' secured it contained six Cartridges, four of which were spent, and one o£ the two loaded showed signs'; of having miss-fired. • Jones, it Is, alleged, has become well Itnown to the public at Petone in connection with offences .against the bylaws relating to wandering stock, and a.i distress warrant, which was being executed, was to cover a fine impoßed for that offence..! ...... ,