MAN WITH A RIFLE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1934, Page 14

MAN WITH A RIFLE

BROKEN ENGAGEMENT SEQUEL.

PROSECUTION AT WHANGAREI.

Whangarei, Nov. 26.

Charges of alarming James Thompson Walker and his family in their house at 2.30 last Thursday morning and with presenting a loaded rifle at Athol Roy Lowe were preferred against Charles Magill, Maungakaramea, in the Whangarei Police Court to-day, before justices. In evidence Lowe, a farmer of Oakleigh, said he went to a dance last Wednesday night. Accused was present and had been drinking. Witness later escorted a young woman home. While returning he was stopped by accused, who presented a rifle and told him to keep still. Some girls came rushing out of Walker’s house and accused went behind the garage. Witness went inside the house and found the occupants very hysterical. Walker went outside with a double-barrelled shotgun, but accused had disappeared. Walker fired two shots into the grass. The women were quietened and witness paraded the grounds during the night with a shotgun. James Thompson Walker said he was awakened by his daughter, who called out that Charlie was there with a gun. Witness discovered his rifle had disappeared from the shed. He went outside, but could not find accused, and in consequence returned to the house. However, the girls again called out that Charlie was at the door with a gun. Witness took his shotgun, and as he could not locate Charlie, he fired two shots into the air for the purpose of frightening accused. Witness said that his rifle was returned by a neighbour. Accused had been engaged to witness’ daughter, but the engagement was terminated a month before. Accused seemed to be brooding over the matter, and too much drink was apparently the cause of the present trouble. / Evidence was given by Melville Lancelot Spence that he saw accused with a rifle on Walker’s property. Witness said he asked for the rifle, but accused said, “You keep out of this—it is none of your business.” Accused went away and witness heard a shot. Accused came back and gave witness the rifle, telling him to take it back to Walker.

Joyce Volker in evidence said her engagement to Magill had been broken off about a month previously and the ring returned. She was quite free to dance with whom she liked. Constable J. V. Bell said he interviewed accused, who said he had no knowledge of what was supposed to have happened. Mr. Briggs, for accused, submitted that if accused left the district the matter could be disposed of without penalty. Accused was prepared to consent to a prohibition order.

The Bench said that accused was responsible for his action whether drunk or sober, and the Court had a duty to the public. The present matter might easily have developed into a tragedy. Accused pleaded guilty. On the first charge he was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence, and on the other charge sentence was deferred.