DUKE CHARGED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 December 1927, Page 9

DUKE CHARGED.

COACHMAN SHOT. MISTAKEN FOR BOAR. The Duke of Ratibor, on© of the wealthiest noblemen of Germany, appeared before the court 'at Ratibor (Silesia) ’to answer a charge of manslaughter. The tragedy in which he played + lie fatal part too-lt place last February. He was hunting wild boar, and fired a shot from a distance of 120 yards at what both he and the huntsman with him believed to be a sow.. There was a cry, and they ran forward to find that it was not an animal but the coachman who .had driven the duke in a sleigh to the forest who had been hit. The unfortunate man was taken at once to hospital, where he died. The Public Prosecutor maintains that the duke did not take proper precautions' and that the death of the coachman was due to his culpable carelessness.

The duke, who gave his age as 48, told the court that he had been used to hunting in his vast, forests as long as he could remember.

“It was a quarter to five,” be said, “and I had been standing a long time. Then -suddenly I saw something black aopear, and looking at it through my glass, for I am 'short-sighted, I saw that it was a sow. Twice it disappeared and appeared again, and the third time I fired. After the shot I heard nothing—and then came the cry of the coachman.”

After further evidence the judge and jury motored to the forest for a reconstruction of the tragedy. It was mentioned during the hearing, which was adjourned, that the widow receives, the nay which her husband had and continues to live in the cottage provided for him.