DRUNKEN MAN AND PISTOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17696, 3 February 1921, Page 6

DRUNKEN MAN AND PISTOL.

INCIDENT IN WELLINGTON.

" CHARGES UNDER NEW ACT.

[BT TKLEGBAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

A sequel to a recent shooting affray on Queens Wharl was heard /at the Magist rate's Court to-day, when Edward William Turner, who came to Wellington as second engineer of the American steamer Bell Rock, was charged with : (a) Discharging a pistol at Owen Collins with intent to do grievous bodily harm; (h) presenting a firearm at Collins; (c) discharging a firearm without reasonable cause ; (d) being drunk while in possession of a firearm; and (e) carrying a revolver for other than a sufficient and proper purpose. The case was to have bean heard a few days ago, but the principal witness, Collins, couid not be found. He uppeareii to-day, but his mind was a blank as to the occurrences on the day of the shooting. He said he was so drunk he should have been locked up

Another witness said he saw accusea in uniform come through the wharf gates. Collins was walking a few yards behind, and then Turner, who was noticeably drunk, presented a pistol at Collins' feet and fired thrice- Corroborative evidence was given. The Bench held that the evidence did not show the intentiou of accused to do any harm. The action was apparently i hat of a drunken man. The first charge was dismissed- On the third a fin© of £5 m;is imposed, and on the other convictions were recorded, witliout penalties. Turner was also ordered to pay costs. Charges b, c, d. and e were the first to "b* laid in the Dominion under the new A-rns Act.