YOUTH SHOT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1924, Page 5

YOUTH SHOT.

ACCIDENT IN SHOOTING G ALLERY (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. PALMERSTON'N., Dec 28. A youth named Thomas Smyth© sustained a gunshot wound in the chest at a public shooting gallery on Saturday evening. Smythe was provided with eight rounds, and while the proprietor was adjusting the target he heard a muffled report. Upon returning to the shooting range he found his customer had gone, and on looking out he saw him walking down the street. No cry or exclamation was made. The next scene was - enacted in a lounge in the same street, where Smythe took a seat. Then he lay across the table, groaning. He explained he had caught the rifle in his clothing and it had gone , off, the bullet entering his chest.'The proprietor examined the wound, which was evidently made with a small bore rifle, and which was bleeding slightly. The marks of the rifle’s explosion were apparent in his shirt. A doctor ordered Smythe’s removal to the hospital, where his condition is regarded as serious, although he is’still conscious. ’ ! The police are of opinion that the wound was accidental.