SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 32

SHOOTING AFFRAY.

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER

MRS IRELAND INVOLVED. DANNEVIRKE, August 5

A settler at Pukehinau named Ireland was wounded last night in the abdomen and hand by a gun shot. A youth named dements is in custody at Pongaroa in connection with the affair. Ireland, it is alleged, says the vounds were inflicted by Clements, but the latter declines to make a statement.

Details regarding the shooting affray at Pukehinau are meagre. Frederick Ireland, the man alleged to have been shot by Win. Clements, was brought to Dannevirke Hospital this afternoon. His condition is not serious. The gun was loaded with shot, and the doctor extracted about 50 pellets from tho injured man’s hand. Clements was arrested early this morning and is now in custody on a charge of attempted murder. Tho attempt appears to have been a very deliberate one. The parties live together. When going to bed Clements told Ireland that the horse was caught in the fence, and decoyed Ireland some distance. Ireland asked: “Where is tho horse?” Clements said: “ Here, here,” and is alleged to have fired the two barrels into Ireland. The latter then ran away to a neighbour, who informed the police. A constable went and found Clements ami Ireland, who was locked in the house.

PAHIATUA, August 5. William Clements, a young man, ami Mrs lerland, a middle-aged woman, who were arrested on a charge of- shooting Frederick Ireland, the husband of the latter accused, at Pukehinau on Monday night, were brought in from Pongaroa by coach to-day, and on appearing at the local Magistrate’s Court were remanded to appear at Dannevirke on the 15th inst. Accused, who were not represented by counsel, did not apply for bail, and will be lodged to-night in Palmerston North Gaol.

The accnsed and Ireland, it appears, had supper on Monday night about 9.50 at Ireland’s house. Clements afterwards went outside. Ireland followed immediately afterwards, and returned to the house a couple of minutes later. He took off hig boots and was walking towards his bedroom when Clements called out ; “Fied, come out, there’s a horse hung up in the wires.” Mrs Ireland said to her husband: “ Is that Bill singing out?” Ireland replied in the affirmative. Ireland then went outside towards Priest's fence, about three chains from Ireland’s house. On getting near the top of the intervening ridge Ireland, as he could not see Clements, called out, “Whereabouts?” Clements replied, “Here.’’

Ireland states that immediately after- ! wards he saw a flash like that from the ! discharge of a gun, and felt a burning S sensation about his left arm, left leg, and 1

the lower part of Ills abdomen. Ireland fell, and on rising another shot was tired, but it did not ‘hit him. Ireland says that he then hesitated as to whether he should rush Clements, but seeing the latter opening the breech of the gun he thought he was going to have another shot, and thereupon decided to go. He made off in the direction of Mr W. Sounness’s residence, about a mile and a-half distant in the direction of Pongaroa, where he received attention. Clements, it is alleged, was lying on the top of the ridge when the first shot was fired. He stood up before the firing of the second shot. The shotgun which it is said was used by Clements was a No. 14 bore. It belonged to Ireland, and was usually kept in the storeroom at the rear of the house. Clements had been staying witii Ireland for about a week. He was to have started to work for the Akito County Council yesterday.