A DESPERATE STRUGGLE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 March 1932, Page 5

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE

ARREST RESISTED. A GUN DISCHARGED. NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday. 1 Detective Meiklejohn and Constable T.ocker had an unenviable experience last night at Tikorangi, when it is alleged they were threatened by Christian de Rink with a double-barrelled shotgun in an attempt to arrest him on four charges of false pretences. One barrel of the gun was discharged when the man was rushed and overpowered by Detective Meiklejohn. De Rink, who had been living near Tikorangi about two months, was wanted on four charges, alleging that he had obtained from A. A. Coban and Sons, Wellington, various quantities of wine totalling in value £65 13s on a false representation that they had been ordered by four different residents of Wellington, some of them licensees of hotels. The detective and constable went to the house to' arrest de Rink. He had evidently some information that the police were after him and he gained possession of a shotgun. He met the officers with this when he returned at about 5.30 p.m.

Detective Meiklejohn was on guaid at the back of the place and it is alleged the man at. once pointed the gun at him and threatened to shoot if he attempted to arrest him. After a little parleying the detective approached the man, who made off in the dark. Detective Meiklejohn called to Constable Tocker, who was on guard at the front of the house that de Rink had a gun. The man returned in a quarter of an hour and seemed more defiant. Hie officers did their best to persuade him to submit quietly but. lie refused. Detective Meiklejohn, at an opportune moment while Constable Tocker had de Rink engaged in conversation, rushed the man, grabbing him under his free ami and getting the other arm across to the arm which still held the gun. De Rink made a. last desperate struggle. One barrel was discharged hut the shot went wide of both officers. De Rink was thrown and subsequently brought to New Plymouth by car. De Rink was-brousrht before the S.M. Court, where in addition to the charges relating to false pretences, he was also charged that with intent to resist lawful apprehension he attempted to discharge a firearm at Detective Meiklejohn and Constable Tocker. He was remanded to appear on 23rd March (P-A.)