AFFRAY AT ROSS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 241, 10 September 1932, Page 12

AFFRAY AT ROSS

CHARGE AGAINST MUIR.

Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, Sept. 9. Athol Crew Potter, the victim of the Ross shooting affray, is reported to be in a serious condition. The bullet has not been located.

The police, this afternoon, at Hokitika, took the accused man, George Muir, to the bedside of Potter at the Westland Hospital, where Magistrate’s Court proceedings were opened by Mr W. Mel drum, S.M. Accused was charged with attempted murder. Hr. Wilson, the hospital superintendent, detailed Potter’s injuries, which were such, he said, as could have been caused by a .22 bullet. An object of that nature had been disclosed by an X-ray examination. Potter deposed that he was 39 years old and had been prospecting with C. It. Highet for some months at Totara, 18 miles from ltoss. Ho visited Ross every four weeks, and became acquainted with accused. Witness and Highet, on September 7, arrived at Ross at 11 p.m., putting their swags in a bach by permission of the owner, Peebles, and went to the hotel. Accused was there and joined them, and all “shouted,” leaving after midnight. They told Muir they had taken Peebles’s bach, and he went there with them. They commenced making up bunks. Muir then said Potter was hiding something from Highet, but would not say what, when asked. Highet then ordered Muir out, and he went. Ten minutes later Muir was heard outside, calling: “Come here, Alex; I want you,” meaning Potter. Both told him to go away. He kept calling and witness went out, Highet following. Muir said he wanted to speak confidentially to Potter, who went over to where Muir stood on the opposite side of the path, asking: “What do you want?” Muir replied: “You are hiding something from your mate. Why don’t you tell him?” Potter said he could get no sense out of Muir, and told him that if he did not get away he would kick him. Muir rushed towards a fence. Then he saw a flash and felt lie was hit in the left side. Accused was 20 feet away when Potter was shot. Potter said he saw no gun, but the gun could have been against the fence and could have been picked up by Muir. Nobody else was near Highet nor near the bach at the time. Potter said he had only met Muir a few times and knew of no reason why Muir should fire at him. The hearing was then adjourned.