UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBOURS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18447, 7 January 1922, Page 12

UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBOURS

A DEPLORABLE RESULT. George Doveney, a farmer near Ranfurly, was , charged before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., yesterday, with having, on December 28, shot at William Griffon Dowling, with intent to murder. Mr O. J. L. White appeared for accused. » William Griffon Dowling said he was a farmer, residing about five miles from Ranfurly township. Accused was his > neighbour, and a one-chain public road divided the properties. Accused’s house was about three-quarters of a mile from his (witness’s). On the 27th of last month accused’s coat was hanging on the fence, almost in front of his (witness’s) gate. He saw his son returning from Ranfurly, and the coat frightened the horse. .Witness removed the coat and dropped it inside accused’s paddock, so that it should not frighten the horse. The following morning his son Anthony went to Ranfurly, driving a horse and trap. Witness saw that the coat had been put back in the same place. Accused had threatened to shoot him about six years ago. Witness went to Ranfurly and saw Constable Bandy. Constable Bandy returned with witness. The constable got there firsts. They arrived about 3 o’clock. Accused’s coat was still hanging on the fence. Accused was some distance away fti his paddock, carrying a gun. One of witness’s sons had just gone in, and another (on horseback) was coming out. Witness, from something the constable told him, removed the coat from the fence and dropped it into the paddock. Accused then fired at him. and witness made for his house. He whs" not hit. While witness was going towards his house accused was running towards him, and fired a second time. He was calling out all the time something like ‘.‘You b—— b-—, Dowling. I’ll shoot you down.”- The constable called to accused to put down the gun, but accused did not do so. Constable Bandy then fired a revolver shot over accused’s bead. Witness saw accused load his gun again—a single-barrelled one —and he fired again. Constable Bandy was at that time between accused and witness. Witness did not epe where any of the shots hit. The constable told accused to put down the gun again, but he held the gun in position. The constable fired a second shot at, accused, and accused put down his gun. Constable Bandy kept accused covered with his revolver, got through the fence, got hold of the gun, and discharged it. It was about two years since witness had spoken to, .accused. He had ■ never done accused any harm in his life. . Accused had accused him (witness) of breaking down his fences. On the 31st the distances were Measured. The first shot was fired about 120 paces away the second 40, and the third about 45. ' ■ ... ' : To Mr White: It would he about nud- . day the first time he saw the coat, and he removed it about .2.30 p.m. It was a grass paddock there. Accused was not working there when the coat woe hanging there. Witness never ripped three rags off the coat. He lifted the coat off the fence and laid it down about two yards inside the fence. He did not think he tore it in removing it. It was a barbedwire fence. Accused had sheep in the paddock. but witness did not know that any of them had been killed by dogs. Witness was in the car, drove up -to where the coat was, got out, arid removed the_ coat from the fence, .From the time witness stopped his Car to take the coat off the fence till the firing of the shot would be about a minute. The whole' thing did not take more than 24 minutes. He was a colonial of Irish parents. He was a Roman Catholic. He never mixed up with politics much. Mr White: Are you not aware that you are reputed to be a Republican _ in the district? —No. I’m not aware of it. ' Mr White: Don’t you have leanings that ■nay?.Have you not a leaning that way’— Not the slightest. He was not aware that he was an unpopular man in the district. * Constable Bandy, stationed at Ranfurly, said that Dowling called at the station and made a complaint- to him. In consequence witness went to Dowling’s farm with Dowling. Just before arriving at the gate he saw the coat on the fence, almost opposite Dowling’s gate. He also saw accused in his paddock, He was coming over towards the road. -Witness wanted to see if young Dow®g’s horse would take fright at thef-coat on the fence. It was a little timid,-and went off the, track. ‘ Witness asking Dowling to remove the coat so that it would not frighten horses. Dowling did so, and laid it down a yard or two inside the Accused fired almost immediately the coat was removed from the fence. After firing the shot he called out, “ You b— —b Dowling, I’ll shoot vou.” The pellets struck the roadline aboOt 12 yards behind Dowling. Accused came towards witness, loading up again, put' the gun to his shoulder, and fired again in the direction of Dowling. The pellets struck the ■'wire fence, came' on,, and went into the grass. Witness called out to accused to put down the gun. He took no heed, and as he was loading up again he (witness) fired a revolver shot_ over accused’s head. Accused was still coming towards them, and witness fired again- over his bead. ’ He repeated his threat to shoot Dowling on two . occasions. Young Dowling galloped away for shelter. Accused still came on, and fired the third shot. The-pellets struck four or five yards: in: front'of witness’s feet. Dowling was past him. ■ . -Accused was loading up agaip, so-witness'fired a : shot at him out-of-the revolver, the Shot'striking the' ground in front’of- accutod, and throwing the dirt up into his face. He then dropped the gun and went away. Witness took possession of the gun, and discharged the cartridge. • Later on witness arrested accused and charged him .'With the offence. ‘He said, “Dowling 1 brought the b thing. on himself,” that he had been annoying him. In the house of accused witneea found a six-chambered revolver witfi 200, cartridges to match. Accused said, “I suppose I will b well got for this.” Both Dowling and accused Rad ootnplained to him about each other. They were not on, good terms. The gun, when tested, would put pellets through a petrol tin at 60 paces.. The tin was dented at 90 yqrds. To Mr Smith: Witness had been in the district five years and a-half, and had known accused all that time. He never heard anybody complain about him except Dowling The coat (produced) was an old coat such as was worn by farmers. Accused, who reserved his defence and pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial, bail being allowed in £SCO, and two sureties of £250 each.