DISCHARGE OF A RIFLE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 June 1935, Page 5

DISCHARGE OF A RIFLE

YOUTH COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

HASTINGS WHARF. TRAGEDY (By Telegraph —Press Association.) HASTINGS, June 7. Arising out of a shooting tragedy which occurred in a whare at Hastings on May 3, in which a young man, Cedric Woodfield, was fatally shot, a charge of manslaughter was preferred against Arthur John Walker, aged 19 years, before Mr J. Miller. S.M., at tho Hastings Magistrate s Court to-day. Walker, Woodfield and two other youths were in tho whare under friendly circumstances and were engaged in conversation, when Wo. <ifield was shot as a result of a ride which Walker was handling being discharged.

Tho charge against Walker was as follows: That on May 3 without lawful and sufficient excuse he did present a loaded firearm and discharge •the same at Cedric AVoodfield, so causing death and thereby committing manslaughter. AA T alker -was furtliei charged that without lawful and sufficient purpose he presented a leaded firearm at Cedric AA'oodfield. Evidence was given regarding rlie circumstances in which the rifle was fired, after which counsel lor Walker submitted that AValker was not conscious of the fact that by lis action he was endangering the life of another person. He was taking tho usual precaution of shooting the bolt and pressing the trigger before putting the rifle away. It was evident that in the handling of the rifle the cut of) had been released, causing a bull it in the magazine to lodge in the chamber and so be discharged when the trigger was pressed. AValker was committed for trial at tho Supreme Court at Napier.