THE PISTOL AND A TARGET.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1915, Page 6

THE PISTOL AND A TARGET.

BACKBLOCKS SETTLER'S EXPERIENCE. A rather amusing incident took place in Wellington a few weeks ago (says a correspondent). A backbloeks aettler, filled with true patriotism, left his home (Ohura) to join the Artillery force to proceed to fight the enemies of his country. He was accepted, and meeting one of th*. returned officers from the Dardanelles he purchased an automatic pistol from him, conditionally that it gave him (the settler) satisfaction on trying it at a target He was told there were some hills at the back of the 2oological Gardens (Newtown Park), and he proceeded out there with a kerosene tin. After drilling some holes in it, he beard some shouting, and turning round, saw a number of attendants, who had armed themselves with sticks, etc., at a very respectful distance. He told them it was all right; but they remained until two policemen came on the scene. He told the constables his story, but they insisted on taking him to the police station, where he was questioned. Being a stranger, he said the only person he knew well was Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P. for Taumarunui. On that gentleman being interviewed, he vouched for the respectability of the settler, who was released. On asking the settler why he went to the Zoo to trv the pistol, he told the M.P. that he asked "the kaiser" where he could try a nistol he was about to purchase. When the Ohura-ite soldier mentioned "the kaiser," the member began to think the settler "had rats," but further questioning brought out the fact that "the kaiser" was a policeman. The member had often heard the guardians of the peace termed "coppers" or "bobbies," but never "kaisers." All ended well; the settler eot back his pistol, after proving to the inspector that he could put a shot through a mark the size of a shilling at a chain distance, the inspector merely remarking that he would not like to stand in front of him.