GOLDFIELD DUELS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 October 1933, Page 5

GOLDFIELD DUELS

OLD MAN AND PUGILIST.

DARWIN, October 16.

Mr. Norman Bell, Director of Mines, who has just returned from Tennant’s Creek, says-there is little truth in the report by Mr. Harold Nelson, member for the Territory, regarding gun duels, sniping, and crude surgery, as published by the southern Press. Four weeks ago, Mr. Bell said, very potent liquor was sold in the camp, and a half-caste Maori pugilist, said to have represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games, was insulted by an old man, whom he thumped severely. Next day both men were drunk, and resorted to firearms, sniping at each other. A pellet from the old man’s gun grazed the pugilist’s arm. Constable Muldoon investigated the occurrence, and the old man. admitted firing at. the pugilist, and threatened to shoot him if he came near his claim, but refused to lay any charge. People in the vicinity said they knew nothing of tho matter.

The pugilist was taken to a telegraph office, where a first-aid man dressed the wound in his arm, but he refused to lay any charge against the old man.

The pugilist was severely cautioned, and warned that a repetition of the trouble might be serious.

Mr. Bell went to the goldfields officially to adjust mining claims.