SYMES CASE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13053, 12 September 1935, Page 6

SYMES CASE.

SECOND EDITION

SHOOTING AT TE MATAi. THE ETERNAL TRIANGLE. ARMY CAPTAIN INVOLVED. PAHiATua parties. Electric Telej,ra.pli —l*roS£ Astsor latio; PALMERSTON N., This Day. Before Justices of the Peace, Manley Sj'ines, labourer, aged 22, of Pali iatua. was charged that on July 24th at Te Mataa, Palmerston North, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, he wounded his wife. Elsie Elizabeth. Svmes. The charge of assault so as to cause actual bodily barm was withdrawn. In evidence Mrs Sym.es said she had bet-n married about 18 months and had one child. In July that had come to Te Matai on holiday. Prior to her marriage she had known a man named Campbell who had been captain of the Salvation Army at Pahiatua. Campbell was also known to her husband He now resided in Palmerston North with his wife and family. While witness was at Te Maitai Campbell had taken her out twice on his grocery round in the car. Accused had objected. On one occasion Campbell visited them after tea. A conference was held at which Campbell told the accused that he loved his wife. The accused said that if Campbell said anything he would kill ilim. After Campbell hr.d gone witness found her husband in the pantry with a pea rifle. He threatened to shoot himself. Witness took the rifle and told him not to be silly. On July 24 Campbell called about noon. Accused was in bed/ ill. Campbell and witness sat on the bed beside the accused. Campbell held witness’ hand. Witness could see by accused's demeanour that lie objected. Accused got up and had a shave and at about 3 p.m. witness, Campbell and •others had afternoon tea. Witness and Campbell went and sat in the latter’s car at the request of Campbell who wanted to show her a let-, ter. About an hour later witness saw her husband coming out of the back porch with a rifle. He ordered witness to get out of the car. Witness did so and Campbell too. The accused walked backwards. Campbell was behind her. Accused said: “You coward, hiding behind a woman’s- skirts.” Campbell then rushed round towards the accused, then witness felt something hit her in the stomach uith ill e report of a rifle. Witness next heard the accused and Campbell fighting. The case is proceeding.