SHOT WITH A REVOLVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 7

SHOT WITH A REVOLVER.

i Sensation AT KIRIKOPUNI '"-■ STOREMAN ARRESTED. I SETTLER IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. BULLET 'THROUGH HIS BODY. 'k\ POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT. .'■• ' [jt telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT.] Daiwaville, Friday. A SENSATIONAL shooting affair occurred •"■■ at Kirikopuni last evening shortly after six o'clock, when a settler named J. C. Allan was wounded. A man named Hansen, ho is alleged to have discharged a revolver at Allan, was subsequently arrested. The injured man, who recently camo with his brother from tho South to take up land, is now in the private hospital in Dargaville, and is in a very critical con- '.. dition. ''i Different reports are current as to the , circumstance.'; in which the shooting occur's., red, but an eye-witness states as follows: ■\; : —" There were four or five of us at the Kirikopuni store last evening, Allan being cne of us. Hansen appeared peculiar in ' ~ his manner, and it was suggested that ho ; had been drinking. He was standing at - the inside of the counter, and said to Allan, 'You go up to the Tangiteroria Hotel and get some liquor.' Allan replied, 'No. I am not going to Tangiteroria.' Hansen persisted, and laying his hand on a revolver he said to Allan, ' If you don't go I'll shoot you.' Evidently Allan didn't take him seriously, for he replied, 'Shoot away.' ;-. ,- " Hansen thereupon presented the re- , volver to Allan's breast and fired. The bullet pierced Allan above the heart, '*■' went through his body, and then through the wall. As Allan fell Hansen exclaimed, 'My God!' What have I done?' The '.other men standing by picked Allan up and secured Hansen, whom they locked .up in the butcher's shop. The police and Dr. Crump were rung up over the private telephone, and were soon in attendance." Allan was found to be in a very critical ' condition, and afterwards he was placed : . on a stretcher and brought to Dargaville . by. launch. He is now in the private hos pital. and Dr. Crump has hopes of his recovery. Hansen is in the Dargaville police cell. It is stated that AHan and Hansen have always been good friends during ? their acquaintanceship. - ' Another account states that Hansen 7,' was pressing Allan to have another drink, « . and upon receiving a refusal said he would shoot him. ' Hansen, who is a foreigner, ■• is known to. have the Continental idea that for one man to refuse to drink with . another is an insult. He is a middle-aged man, who is living a bachelor's life, being ': ;. separated from his wife. s, '. Hansen has a curious hobby, which resulted in his premises being converted ." in£' an arsenal, all sorts of weapons hang about his room, and these he in- ■' variably kept loaded. The weapon with which he injured Allan is a Mauser pistol, carrying a .303 soft-nosed explosive bullet. It is fitted with a safety-trigger catch, and it is believed that Hansen thought the catch was operating, and ■'•• that the pistol would not fire.. ■ • --■'-:■ .