WOUNDING OF CONSTABLE AT NGARUAWAHIA

Chronicle (Levin), 23 April 1946, Page 8

WOUNDING OF CONSTABLE AT NGARUAWAHIA

^ HAMILTON, April 22, Further details are available of the sensational shooting incident at Ngaruawahia on Saturday, when Constable P. Clemenee was seriously wounded. Shortly after 9 a.m. a Maori is alleged to have entered the Waipa Hotel and demahded a free beer, bed and breakfast from the licensee, Mr. T. A. Sunnex. The licensee refused to serve hira and the Maori went hlong the street into the milk bar of Mrs. Gatchel, asking for an ice cream. Refused this, he got a rifle from a truck and threatened the shopkeeper, who notifred the police. Shortly afterwards,. Constable Clemenee, on his way to the police stafion. eneountered a man with a ..32 rifle near tlie post ofliee. He endeavoured to persuade him to put it away, but was unsuecessful, and the man took aim and shot him in tlie left shoulder. Suljsequently the man crossed the road to Mr. J. D. Joy's chemist shop and made attempts to obtain free medieine. Later Constable N. A. -PeterSerc arrived and arrested a Maori. So laf ge were the man'a wrists that it was impossible to apply handcuffs. Constable j

Petersen waa assisted by several eivilians rn making the arrest, whieh, it is stated, was made without mueh diffieulty. Tlie Maori was taken direet to the Joek-up at Hamilton. It is understood that a eharge of attempted m,urder will be preferred against him in thq Hamilton Police Court. Constable Clemenee, who is a married man with three Children, was rushed to the Waikato Hospital. After admission his condition was reported to .be serious, but later to be satisfaetory.