YOUNG WOMAN WOUNDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 10

YOUNG WOMAN WOUNDED.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. STATEMENT BY DETECTIVE. [ISV TKI.EGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS. Saturday. The preliminary hearing of the charge of attempting to murder Mavis Steele Smith, made against Hubert Frederick Nunn, was continued before Mr. .-\. M. Mowlem, S.M., in the Police Court today. Mr. E. J. Hallett appeared for accused, and Inspector Cummings for the prosecution.

J. It. Dunnett, borough fraffic inspector, said that upon inspecting Nunn's car on tlie morning of April 7, the morning of the alleged offence, he found three knives and two undischarged cartridges. He was of the opinion that the car had been used an hour before his inspection, which he made at 3 a.m.

Constable Dunn said that when making an examination in the vicinity of - Mr. Smith's house on the same morning he found fresh marks of tyres, and a key, which Nunn's housekeeper identified as the key of the back door of Nunn's house. The marks were such as would be made by tho tyre of Nunn's car. Detective Farquharson stated that he found a cartridge wad when inspecting (lie grounds of Smith's house. On April 7 ho went to Nunn's house and told Nunn the girl had accused him of shooting her. Accused replied: "Poor Mavis," and added that lie was prepared to answer any questions. He seemed to be suffering from severe mental strain, and was slinking and trembling all over. He said he had a gun and told tho detective where to find it. Examination showed that the right barrel had been discharged. Accused did not reply when asked if he had been out in his car the previous night. The hearing was adjourned.