ALMOST A TRAGEDY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19204, 21 June 1924, Page 17

ALMOST A TRAGEDY.

BOY SHOT BY COMPANION. SEQUEL TO PIC-HUNTING TRIP. A boyish escapade that might have ended in tragedy,” was Mr J. Houston’s description of a case heard last week at the Hawora Court, which arose, from charges against four youths of being in possession of .203 rifles and ammunition for other than lawful or sulficient reasons. Sergeant Henry said that on May 10 four boys went, pig-hunting at Mcromerc. They camped on the edge of the. bush at night end went off on the hunt next morning. None of them had any experience, and tho hunt was not a very successful one. Two of the lads became tired before they had gone far, and remained in a hut, while tho other two wont on with tho hunt. Tile two hunters, said the sergeant, decided to have a shot at the hut from a distance of what they thought about lOUOyds to frighten (ho two occupants. Three shots wore fired, and a bullet struck one of the boys in the shoulder. This boy was in hospital for 12 days, and he remained an out-patient for some time after. Tho lads used defence rifles and ammunition tnat they had taken from (he rifle range during practice. The Magistrate said he would hold the matter over the Iroys’ heads for a yeir, anti each was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence that day 12 months. In the meantime the lads were ordered to report each month to tho police. A condition of one lad’s liberty was that he was to nav the injured boy’s hospital expenses--over £lo at the rate of 7s 6d per week, and that ho was nut to attend a picture show tor six mouths.