POINTING A REVOLVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8880, 17 May 1892, Page 3

POINTING A REVOLVER.

W. G. GARRARD IN TROUBLE. AN UNDUTIFUL SON. William George Garrard was charged at the Police Court yesterday afternoon with having, on the 13th May, unlawfully threatened to do an injury to William John Garrard, by pointing a revolver at him whilst the latter was engaged at his work at the British Boot Factory. The complainant asked that defendant bo required to find sureties to keep the peace. Mr. C. E. Matthews appeared for the defendant. William John Garrard deposed that about a month ago ho was coming home about ten o'clock one Saturday night with a friend, when his father " kicked up a row with him." There was also some illfeeling betsveen them about some money which witness had in the bank. On the day in question his father came up to him at the factory and presented a revolver at him, and clicked it several times. Subsequently witness was told that ho had botter keep out of his father's way, as he was waiting for him, and when witness got away from his father the latter ground his teeth with anger. His father was often in the neighbourhood of the factory with the revolver.

Mr. Matthews said this was one of the most painful cases that had ever come under his notice. The witness was then cross-examined by Mr. Matthews: He did not know whether defendant and Mrs. Garrard were his parents or not. That was the first occasion on which he had seen the certificate of birth produced. His father had kept him in comfortable quarters for some years, but had not given him any peace. Witness had 10s in the Savings Bank, and in another bank £26 10s, "and there it would stick." This money was made up of his savings, and pocket money given to him. His parents kept him in clothes and pocket money, and paid his lodge fees. Mr. Matthews : Do you remember seeing me on Friday morning ? Witness: I remember you trying to pump me. Mr. Matthews : Where is this money ? Witness : It is in a bank. Mr. Matthews : In what bank ? Witness : 1 will not tell you. Witness went on to state that he saw his father pointing the revolver at the factory. He would not state where he went at night, as his father would go and abuse the people. Nearly all the factory saw defendant with a revolver in his hand on the day in question. John Clark, also working at tho British Boot Factory, deposed that on Friday last he saw defendant in front of the factory clicking the revolver, and waiting for his son. The son slipped him, and witness noticed the father looking very angry and grinding his teeth. Adam Carter deposed that on Friday he saw defendant in the vicinity of the factory with his dog lassoo and a revolver. He pointed the latter first at the factory and then at a tin shed close by. He could not say that defendant was a dangerous man. George Castles deposed that he knew of continual quarrels between the father and tho son. Witness did not think defendant was a dangerous man. He advised the father to allow the son to go into lodgings, but some trouble then cropped up about some moroy in the bank. Samuel Goodman deposed that) he heard Mr. Garrard say that his son was " alive now, but may not be in tho morning." He subsequently saw defendant walking in front of the factory with a revolver in his hand. He would not nay that he was pointing to anyone in particular. Mr. Matthews said he had evidence to show that the revolver was not loaded. The whole affair was the outcome of a family quarrel. The Bench dismissed the case, stating at the same time that it was foolish for the old man to carry a revolver about the street with him.