THE FARMER AND THE POLICEMAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1681, 7 October 1887, Page 3

THE FARMER AND THE POLICEMAN.

\A NEWgWAY OF PAYING BATES. Ikvekcakgill, October 6 Mar' ln Johmton, a farmer at Langridge, was charged at the Polioe Ooact to-day with attempting to discharge a gun at CiDstable Griffiths, Accused is a settler m the district rated for the Waltnea Plains Railway, and holds very strong opiaiona as to the Id justice of the rate, so much bo that he wrote to the Government some months ago on th« oahj?ct, and expressed an intention to shoot anyone who came to enforce payment of the rate from him The law took it a course, and tho ''onatab'e went to accused's farm on Wednesday to distrain at the instance of the Railway Company for rates for which judgment had been glv.n The conatab'a said he would aeiza the horsas with which Johnston was ploughing, and he replied that if he touched them he would blow his brains oat. After the horses were unyoked accused repeated the threat. He afterwards calmed down a bit, and went into his houee. The constable followed him, and on looking m saw accused take down a donble-barralled gnn from the wall and bring ii to tho ready, pointing it at him. Hearing a dick of one of the hammers he sprang on Johnßton got hold of the gun, with one hand and caught him round tho body with tho other. After a struggle he threw Johnston, and holding him on the ground passed the gun \to a man who had been away watering hones. Caps were then removed, and on examinations both barrels proved to be loaded with heavy shot. Accused having only juat been brought m from the country he waß remanded till the 12 r ,h instant