UNUSUAL CHARGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 15 July 1936, Page 10

UNUSUAL CHARGE.

HEARING at CHRISTCHURCH

Per Press 2U**c:ation

CHRISTCHURCH, July 14. .John Miles, a farmer, of Fernside, was charged in the- Magistrate s Court to-dav with discharging a shotgun at Nicholas Wall with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Medical evidence was given that there were marks on Wall’s neck, back, face, and hands, evidently caused by a shot. The injuries were not serious. Dr. AYill said he had known Miles for many years and knew ho was badly shell-shocked. On the day of the alleged offence he bad been called to M?les, who had collapsed. Allies gave the impression that he intended to shoot himself.

Nicholas Wall said he had been employed on a farm belonging to Miles’s sister. Witness was not on friendly terms with accused’s family, except his 16-year-old daughter.. On June 23 he met the daughter in Christchurch and took her to the pictures and later a dance. Leaving between 1 and 2 a.m., they walked about until 4 or 5 a.m. and the girl then went to his employer’s place, saying she was frightened to return home. The girl went home on the night of June 25. The next day he met Miles, who attacked him with a stick, but did not hit him. Miles said that if Walls did not get away by that night he “would put a slug in him.” Cross-examined. Wall admitted that he had been warned by the Rangiora police to leave the district. The Rangiora constable had been called to John Miles’s house because of witness’s behaviour when drunk.

Counsel: Were you surprised that Miles collapsed after hearing that his daughter lias been away with you for two nights? Witness: No.

Witness denied he had caused trouble in the Miles family. Ho was not on good terms with any of them. He denied that the cause of this was that he was constantly drunk and plying their sister with liquor. Sergeant Mclntic, of Rangiora, said ho knew no case of accused having previously interfered with anyone. Accused had complained oF the association of Wall with His daughter. Witness would say accused had jtad the greatest provocation. Tf Wall persisted in staying in the district something serious would happen between the two men.

Accused Miles, in evidence, said there had been irritation between IVall and himself since Christmas. His daughter Hazel did not come home on the night of the King’s Birthday nor on the following night. On the Thursday following he saw Hazel and her younger siutev with Wall going to a plantation. Witness told Wall that if he interfered with the girls witness would shoot him. That night witness collapsed. Later he filled a cartridge with salt and saltpetre. He asked the girls to hide the gun. He had no recollection where he found the gun. He fired at Wall. He had not intended to injure Wn)l, only to protect his wife and children. Miles pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.