SHOOTING AFFRAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18352, 16 September 1921, Page 6

SHOOTING AFFRAY

AN ARREST MADE. (Peb United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. September 15. A shooting affray which, occurred last night iu the Springston Hotel. when Bartholomew M'Evody, a Southbridgo farmer, was wounded in the loft wrist and thigh, resulted in tbe arrest of James Scott Main, a. ranger employed by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society., It is stated that the shooting occurred during an attempt to wrest a revolver from Main’s possession. Three shots were fired, two hitting M‘Evedy, and the third wounding another man in the hand. The latter is not yet discovered by the police. Accused appeared before the court this morning on a charge of attempted murder, and was remanded for five days. ACCUSED VICTIM OF PREVIOUS ASSAULT. Ode Own Coebespondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 15. The chief ranger for the Acclimatisation (Mr Main), who was charged to-day with attempted murder, in connection with tho Springston shooting affair, has been on two occasions at least, a victim of serious assault by jioachers. At Lake Ellesmere, early in 1916, he came upon a tno of men illegally shooting. While endeavouring to identity them in tho fading light ho was struck a tremendous blow on the back of the head just behind the left ear, with the butt of a gun. He was rendered unconscious, and received a bad out on .the head. He also suffered from deafness for some time after the assault. His assailants were never brought to justice, although the society offered a reward of £25 for the arrest and conviction. Tho second assault was of a more serious nature, and took place on the night of Sunday, July 23, 1916. Main; who, was out round the lake on duty had hia suspicions aroused by hearing various shots fired, and went to see who was shooting. Eventually he sighted a poaoher who pulled hia hat down over his eyes, and started to get away as fast as he could. A chase ensued, Main keeping to the waters edge ■while ; the poacher lumbered along in deeper water. The poacher at length (gained . tho shelter of a small patch of scrub. There he stopped, and in an apparently disguised voice shouted out something which sounded like a threat to the ranger, who was about 80yds away at the time. Main, who was unarmed, advanced on the man, who then raised his gun and deliberately fired. A charge of shot rattled round the ranger’s legs, one pellet penetrating his clothes into his right thigh. Another pellet hit him just above the right eye, entering the flesh rather deeply. Main then perforce gave up the chase. After the second a'ssault the Acclimatisation Society voted Main a sum of £5 in recognition of his pluck. As a ranger ho was vested with all the powers of a constable within his district, and was entited to carry firearms for self-protection.