SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIV, 24 November 1920, Page 3

SHOOTING AFFRAY.

MAN IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

Mastcrton, November 22

A serious shooting affray occurred at Carterton on Saturday evening, ft appears that a parly of men, including Anthony Rzoska, aged 20 years (a roadman in the employ of the Waintra pa South County Council),, and Frederick Thompson, 52 years of age (also a roadman), had been drinking together, and went to Thompson's whare about 6 p.m. A dispute arose between Rzoska and Thompson owing to a remark which Thompson made. Rzoska, it is alleged, assumed a fighting attitude. It was dark inside the whare, and a revolver shot rang out, Rzoska falling.

The police were sent for, and on arrival they found Rzoska in a pool of blood, but still alive. Thompson made some remarks about the shooting, after which he was put under arrest.

The police, on searching the premises found a six-chambered revolver lying under the whare. It was loaded in five chambers but one chamber had been fired. Rzoska was removed in a semi-con-scious state to the Or opt own Hospital. A bullet had entered the left side of the neck and conic out the back. Thompson stated that Rzoska has been following him about all (he afternoon, and had been "looking for it," The victim is in a very low condition, too weak to make a statement. Carterton, November 22 Thompson was charged with the attempted murder of Anthony Rzoska before justices this morning, and was remanded for a week. IS r o bail was asked for. Counsel for accused said he was an cx-policennui, and he wished to say he had been drinking heavily for some time, that Rzoska talked fight, and in the heat of the moment he (accused) picked up a revolver and fired. He expressed sorrow for the act. A later message stated that Rzoska had succumbed to his injuries.