SHOOTING AT POLICE.

Evening Star, Issue 18057, 26 August 1922, Page 8

SHOOTING AT POLICE.

DISTRESS WARRANT RESISTED. SENSATION IN COAL YARD. Further particulars are telegraphed from Wellington of the sensational happening at Pet-one, in, which shots wore fired at tho police. 'Sensational happenings in a coal yard in Fitzherhert street, Pctoue, yesterday morning led to the arrest of a man named' Benjamin. Jones on two charges of attempted murder. Tho occurrence followed a visit to Jones’s premises by two constables—Harrison and Alorrison—of Pctone. Tho police were instructed by Sen-ior-sergeant Bird to execute a distress warrant on Jones, who is a coal dealer. On their arrival at the house Jones came to tho door, and Ike officers explained, tho nature of tho duty they had to perform—tho seizure of a vehicle. They then- proceeded to take possession of the cart. Jones first attempted to shut the barrier leading on to the road, and also challenged Constable Morrison to touch the vehicle. Immediately afterwards, it is alleged, he drew a revolver and fired at the constable, the shot going wide. Constable Harrison then went to Constable- Alonison’s assistance, and Jones fired at him. This shot also missed. Constable Harrison, who was nearest to Jones, threw him to the ground, and both officers tried to secure the revolver. While the scuffle was going on Jones fired two more shots at tho constables. It is stated that he pressed the revolver against Constable Alorrison’s abdomen, but just before it was discharged the weapon was kicked out of his hand by Const-able Harrison. The constables, assisted; by Air Henry Ryder, secured possession of the revolver, handcuffed Jones, and took him to the police station in his own cart.

It was only the courage and prompt action of tho constables that averted a tragedy. Later the accused was charged at the local Police Court with attempting to murder Frederick Charles Harrison, police constable, and also with attempting to murder Bert Spencer Morrison, police constable. The accused was remanded until September 2, and was removed to tho Terrace Gaol.

The revolver used was a .23 sevenchambered rim-fire weapon, made bv the Richardson Arms Company, and called “Young America.’’ When secured it contained six cartridges, four of which were spent, and one of tho two remaining showed' signs of having misfired. Jones, it' is alleged, has, become well known to the public at Petone in connection with, offences against tho by-laws relating to wandering stock, and tho c’istress warrant which was being executed was to cover a fine imposed for that offence.