GUN FIRED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12913, 15 July 1936, Page 5

GUN FIRED

TROUBLE OYER CURL. FATHER ATTACKS LABORER. INJURIES NOT SERIOUS. "(Press' Association J, CHRISTCHURCH, July 14. , John Miles, farmer, of Fernside, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with discharging a shotgun at Nicholas Wall Avifcli intent,to do grievous bodily harm. Medical evidence avrs given that there Avere marks on AVall’s neck, hack, face and hands, evidently caused by a shot. The injuries Avere not serious. Dr. AVill said lie had kiioAvn Miles for many years and knew that he Avas badly shell-shocked. ’ On the day o ; the offence he Avas called to Miles, Avlio had collapsed. Miles gave the impression that he intended to shoot himself. Nicholas AVall said he had been 'employed on a farm belonging to Miles’ sister. Witness was not on friendly terms Avith accused’s family, except liis 16-year-old daughter. On June 23 he met the daughter in Christchurch and took her to the pictures, and later to a dance, leaving* between 1 and 2 a.m. They Avalked about until 4 or 5 a.m., and the girl then Avenfc to his employer’s place, saying she avis frightened to return home. The girl Avent home on tho night of July 25. Next day’ he met Allies, avlio attacked him Avith a stick, but did not hit him. Miles said that if Wall did not got aAvay by that night he “AA'ould put a siug in him.” Cross-examined, AVall admitted he had been Avarned by the Rangiora police to leave the district. The Rangiora. constable had been called lo John Miles’s house because of Avitness' behaviour Avhen drunk.

Counsel : “Were you surprised that Miles collapsed after hearing that his daughter had been away Avith you for two nights ?”—Witness : “No.” Witness denied that lie had caused trouble in the Miles family. He was not on good terms Avith any of them. He denied that the cause of this avrs that lie Avas constantly drunk and supplying their sister Avith liquor. Sergt. Melntie, Rangiora. said that ho kneAV'no case of accused having previously interfered Avith anyone. Accused had complained of the association of AA’all Avith his daughter. Witness avould say that accused had had the greatest provocation. If AVall persisted in staying in the district sometiling serious AA'ould happen betAvcen the tAvo men. Accused, Miles, in evidence, said that there had been irritation between AVall and himself since Christmas. His daughter Hazel did not come homo on the night of the King's Birthday nor on the following night. On the Thursday foiloAving. he smav Hazel and her younger sister with Wall going to a plantation. Witness told AA all that if he interfered Avith the girls lie (witness') Avould shoot him. That night Avitness collapsed. Later, he filled <i cartridge with salt and saltpetre and he. asked the girls to hide- the gun. He had no recollection Avherc ho found the gun he fired at AAall. He had not intended to injure AVall. only to protect his Avife and children. Miles pleaded guilty and Avas committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.