ENGINEERS’ QUARREL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 278, 18 August 1921, Page 5

ENGINEERS’ QUARREL

FINE FOR USING REVOLVER.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Dunedin, August 17. Before His Honour Mr. Justice Sim (Acting-Chief Justice) Charles Howard Tipping was charged in the Supreme Court to-day that on May 4 last no tempted to murder Alfred James Pottinger. There was a second count against accused of causing actual bodily harm under such circumstances that it death had been caused ho would have been guilty of manslaughter; with a third count of assault so as to cause actual bodily harm. Accused pleaded not guilty. The occurrence which led to tho charge took place at Port Chalmers. Accused was the sixth engineer of tho overseas vessel Mahia, and Pottinger was fourth engineer of tho same steamer. Tho two men had shipped at London for the voyage, Mid on the passage out had apparently been ths best of friends. Die other officers said that there had been no quarrel between, thorn. On the afternoon in question Pottinger went ashore by himself. At about four o clock he met tho accused and another engineer named Robertson, and they wont to hotels, and had several drinks. When they returned aboard the vessel a quarrel ensued, and accused drew a revolver and shot Pottinger. Accused was found not guilty on the first and third counts, and guilty on the second, with a strong recommendation to mercy. He was fined .830.