EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 973, 24 March 1924, Page 12

EXCITING ENCOUNTER.

POLICEMAN’S HARD FIGHT, REVOLVERS PRODUCED. SYDNEY, March 12. An example in resolution and tenacity was shown by Constable Hibbens, who, after a fierce fight among a crowd of men on March 1, arrested George Coleman, aged 39. A shot was fired. , Coleman was charged at the Central Police Court to-day with having used indecent language, assaulted Hibbens, maliciotisly damaged a revolver, valued at 20s, the property of the New South Wales Government, and with having shot at Constable Hibbens with intent to prevent lawful apprehension. f The story told by Hibbens was that at 9.30 p.m. he saw 11 men in Hargrave lane drinking beer and behaving boisterously. Witness said: “You chaps had better move on.” They did so, and he followed them to Francis street, where lie saw a man lying drunk and asleep on the footpath. One of the men who had been in the lane said: “It’s all riglit, constable, we’ll take him home.” They started off, but a man on a verandah called out, “You’d better lock him up for his own good; they’ll go through his pockets.” Constable Hibbens said he caught up to the men and told the drunk that he was going to take him to the station, but Coleman then rushed back and exclaimed, “You will not take him.” Witness replied, “No, I’ll take you instead.” Witness moved towards Coleman, but he drew a nickel revolver, and said, “I’ll have a go at you, anywhere.” He pointed the weapon at witness who then whipped out his own revolver and warned Coleman to lower his revolver and keep it lowered or he would shoot. Witness then walked up to Coleman and they grappled. The other men closed around them, one of them snatching Coleman’s revolver. Coleman struck witness about the head and body, and a punch on the jaw dazed witness, who, however, retaliated with his baton, striking Coleman on the side of the head. A CHASE. Several of tlie other men struck witness, and he hit them with his baton. Coleman bolted down to Hargrave street. Witness followed, blowing his whistle. He caught up to Coleman in Francis street, and struck him again with the baton, and Coleman fell. Some of the other men pulled Coleman away, and he ran through the gateway of a house. Witness lashed out with his baton, and again chased Coleman. The man was cornered and turned on witness, who now had a revolver in his right hand. Witness tried to throw Coleman, but other men dashed in and attempted to take Coleman away. They held witness’s hands and arms and punched him, while Coleman tried to get the revolver. He said: “If I get this, I’ll fix him.”

Coleman wrenched the revolver away and witness grabbed him by the wrist. Coleman tried to point the weapon at witness, and it exploded, the bullet passing between witness’s legs. Someone then shouted: “Here is help,” and Constable Curvey came on tho scene. The men . ran away, and Coleman was handcuffed. He threw the revolver through the gate on to jthe footpath. Later at the hospital Coleman said to witness; “I’ve had my dose. You have to get yours yet!” On tlie charge of maliciously shooting, Coleman was committed for trial. He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. The other cases were adjourned till April 14.