ALLEGED SHOOTING AFFRAY AT ROMAHAPA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13874, 11 April 1907, Page 8

ALLEGED SHOOTING AFFRAY AT ROMAHAPA.

A SENSATIONAL STOBY.

An 'exciting occurrence is reported to have occurred at Romahapa. on the evening of 31st March. A man named Frederick I'iold, a'labourer, states that about 10 p.ni. he went to tho local railway station, where he met a man named Isaac Hurrin).',' a ijaxmill-owner Huriing, it is stated remarked to Field, "You have not been to see- me for a lftng time," and after eonio conversation invited him to go with him to bis house Field declined at first lo go, but on n railway surfaceman named Lane coming on the scene the I luce went together to Hurring's, place, where they ployed cards. It is allied that Hμ ring, who had been to the Exhibition, afterwards produced some whisky, which he had purchased at Ca\'c«bam. and Iho men had fiomo of this. Hurring later on invited I'leld to stay with him all night, and Lmo went away. After, Lano left Field alleges that Hurring made 'some proposals to him, wn'cli'he resented, and that Hurring then attacked him in a violent manner, kicking Him several limes, and Baying he "would do for him." Field says he was caught by tho throat and partially choked. The iittstk, it is alleged, was repeated, and it is also staled that Ilurring got some flax ami tieff.it round Field's neck, drawing l'lm for a considerable distance along'the railway line, and pausing every now and then to see if ho elill breathed. Field fays be Was dragged in this manner to Jiunes hut, whore Lane remonstrated with Hurring and removed the flax from Field's neck. Field at this time was very much exhausted, ■ and he told Lane what had occurred. Hurring, it is stated, got verv angry at this, and said ho would do for both lield and Lane with a razor. Ho is reported to have picked up Lane's double-barrelled gun, and, after gcttin-' possession of somo cartridges which were on a'table, to have pointed tho gun i-t Lane, who decamped as speedily as .he could. Hurnnir. it i 3 eficsod. then said to I'ield: Tut up your hands and say your prayer., for I am going to shoot you! following this up by coekiiio- Iho gun: and pointing it at Field's head. Field however, succeeded in getting hold of tho muzzle and pushed it aside. After some struggling Hurring is said to have fired two shots close to Field's head, tho shots entoriiii; the side of the hut, but doing no other damage. According to tho statements made Hurring, who had had some drink, loaded the gun again, but while he was etoopuv; down to piek\up a cartridge from the floor Field darted past him and got out of the hut. Hurring is said to have fired after Field as lio was running away, but tho shots did not strike their mark. The matter was not reported to tho police for s'oino ■ days after its occurrence, but on Saturday, 6th inst., Hurring was arrested, and on.Monday ho was brought before Messrs J. S. Fleming. and T. F. Dcnniston, J.lVs, and charged with shooting at Field with intent lo do Jgriovous bodily barm. On tho application of tho police the hearing of the charge was adjourned till to-day, bail bciiif; fixed at— Accused £300, and two sureties of £100 each, or one of £200.