SHOTS AT CASHMERE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1933, Page 7

SHOTS AT CASHMERE

; DISPUTE OVER LOANS j : WOMAN’S FEAR OF SALESMAN [FEB PBXSS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. Myrtle Long, married, aged 45 years, was to-day committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge that on March 25, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, she discharged a loaded revolver at Arthur Henry Way, salesman. When Mrs. Long first appeared, she was charged with attempted murder, but to-day the police offered no evidence on this charge, which was accordingly dismissed, and the other charge was substituted. The accused is an American by birth. Way gave evidence that he had been employed by Mrs. Long as a salesman, and had frequently to visit her at her house at Cashmere to discuss business transactions. When he called on March 25, there was a dispute about “1.0.U’5,” and a heated argument followed. He did not remember what happened exactly. The shooting was so sudden that he could not remember anything about it. The accused had not previously threatened to shoot him. One bullet lodged in his left forearm and another struck him slightly on the shoulder. He went to the hospital, where the bullet was removed. He still owed Mrs. Long some money. He had frequently received goods from her to sell, and during the past two years he had sold for her about £2OO worth.

Other witnesses gave evidence as to hearing an altercation and shots at Mrs. Long’s house on March 25, and as to the revolver having five empty shells and one live cartridge in it. Detective Sergeant O’Brien produced a statement by the accused, in which she stated that her husband resided at Wellington. Until three years ago he used to own the Home Supply Coy., Christchurch, but the business went into liquidation. Three years ago she met Way, who was a salesman, when he was helping in her husband’s business. He told her he could give her valuable information, which would help her to obtain a divorce from her husband. He had borrowed money from her, about £2OO, in the last two years. When she refused to give him money, he said that he would tell her husband that he (Way) had been living with her. On a previous occasion, he had to be removed from her house by the police. He returned and threatened to cut her throat. On March 25 he showed signs of liquor. She ordered him out. He refused to go, and he asked her to lend him £l5 to buy his partner. She got him out, and closed the door. He kicked at the door, and she threatened to shoot him. She went upstairs to her room where there was a revolver, which she kept there fully loaded, in fear of Way. She went down to the door and fired a number of shots at him. She did not intend to kill him, but to make him go out of her life. If she went to gaol it would not be worse than in her home while this man was visiting her. There was no intimacy between them. Mrs. Long was admitted to bail—self in £2OO and one surety of £2OO. Way pleaded not guilty to being found, without lawful excuse, on the premises occupied by Mrs. Long, and to being an idle and disorderly person, having insufficient means of support. His case was adjourned. Bail in £2O was allowed him.

SHOTS THROUGH WINDOW, ACCUSED COMMITTED. TEPUKE, April 11. At the hearing of the alleged attempted murder charge against Colin Alfred Jensen, farm hand, aged 25, Avis May Broad, daughter of Frederick Broad, said she was away from home in Auckland working for 3 to 4 years. She first met accused on a visit to her home in January last year. After about a week, he proposed. She refused him, which the accused accepted in good spirit. Later he renewed his suit, but she said she had no desire to be engaged. She returned to Auckland, and they corresponded. The accused visited her at Auckland. He was there for about three or four days. They parted on good terms, and corresponded till about May last. She had not seen the accused since then. They had not quarrelled. Detective White, Hamilton, stated he was in Tepuke on the day in question. He visited the locality that night. He found various articles which accused and his mother on the following day identified as the accused’s property. The accused was then taken to Tepuke, where he made a statement in which he admitted the occurrence ,and was later arrested. The police found a revolver which contained two discharged shells and three bullets. Acused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for trial.