“WE’LL SHOOT YOU”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11833, 14 January 1933, Page 5

“WE’LL SHOOT YOU”

EXCITEMENT AT LONG BURN

GUN DISCHARGED NEAR FREE LABORERS. MAN SLIGHTLY WOUNDED IN NECK. (Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., Jan. 13. A disturbing incident, is reported to the police to have occurred at, Longburn freezing works last evening. Three men engaged as free laborers were sitting in the sleeping quarters when they heard a voice outside exclaim, “We will shoot, the lot of you, you —’ ’ They stepped on to the verandah to investigate and were greeted with iho discharge from a shotgun fired in their direction. Noel Yortt, of Dannovirke, received a slight wound in the nock-, being struck by a pellet, or Hying splinter. The other two were unhurt.

The incident occurred at 10 p.m. when quite a number of men were in the house. The shot had been fired from a distance of 20 or 30 yards. Whether'it, was aimed with intent, to do injury, or merely for the purpose of intimidation, is a. matter for conjecture.

The shots went dangerously close, and pellets went through the window of the adjoining room. Three men wore 'seen hurrying away across a paddock. Police officials under Inspector Harvey hurried from Palmerston North and pursued investigations. In the meantime a number Of non-union workers started a search in the vicinity but without avail. The police remained until daylight, when detectives continued inquiries. Earlier in the evening two men were proceeding along a small lane near the ivories when unionists, it is alleged objected- to their using the lane. : An argument ensued, in which the free laborers were attacked. One, using a bottle, overcame an attacker, who later was carried away hy friends.