SHOOTING OF RABBITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 February 1932, Page 16

SHOOTING OF RABBITS.

"NEEDLESS ALARM" CAUSED.

SOLICITOR TO PAY COSTS

[py TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J DUNEDIN, Friday.

What the magistrate described as needless alarm on the part of & young woman resulted in Frederick George Dimcan, a solicitor, appearing in the Police Court to-day on a charge of discharging a firearm near a public place so as to frighten a passer-by. He pleaded guilty.

Sub-Inspector Cameron said ft young woman and her companion bad called at fho police station and complained that a. man was shooting in tho town belt. The woman, who was alarmed, said two shots were fired. Later Duncan telephoned headquarters and admitted that lie was tile culprit. Duncan explained that rabbits {mm the town belt were destroying his garden. Ho had chased a rabbit out into the belt, but the first shot missed and the rabbit ran across the road and Duncan killed it with his second shot.Defendant said at no time was the young lady within the line of fire, the rabbits were a nuisance in the. town belt and no provision was made by the City Council to deal with them. "I am satisfied that Mr. Duncan would Tint, fire so as to endanger anyone." said tho magistrate, in convicting defendant and ordering him to pay Court costs. ''ln this case tho lady was needlessly alarmed."