Shooting of Mr Hewitt.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 210, 11 September 1901, Page 1

Shooting of Mr Hewitt.

(Wairoa Guardian, Sept. 6th.)

Quite a sensation was created in town last evening by a report that Mr T. S. Hewitt, son of Mr Ilewitt, licensee of the Clyde Hotel, had been shot through the thigh by C. Maxwell, who has been

residing here for some time. It appears that the prisoner, who has been occupying Mr Johansen’s house in Queen street, has been in the habit of carrying a revolver, and on one or two occasions shots have been heard during the night, but for what object discharged is not known —and conjecture is out of the question. Mrs Maxwell—to whom prisoner appeared most devoted at one time and at other times the reverse—was only confined of a daughter on Saturday evening. The actions of prisoner were such that Frank Percy was engaged to look after him, and usually he succeeded in keeping him in a fairly quiet state. On Wednesday evening, however, matters arrived at such a climax that the nurse, Mrs McDonald, went to the policestation at a quarter to seven, and asked

for the assistance of Constable Kennedy, as she said Maxwell was killing Percy. She was followed by Mrs Maxwell, who had got out of bed, and though partly dressed took her baby with her. She was taken in by Mr and Mrs Kennedy, and attended to till the arrival of Dr Milne-Tliomson, who made arrangements for the unfortunate lady to be cared for at the Clyde Hotel. No ill consequences resulted, and so far all went well till the occurrence last evening. It appears that about S.iJO p.m. Maxwell went to the Clyde Hotel and asked for his wife. He was met by Mr T. S. Hewitt, and toll that the doctor’s orders were that Mrs Maxwell was to be kept quiet, and ho asked him to sit down in the room upstairs. Mr Hewitt then went out on the balcony, and in a few minutes heard knocking at Mrs Maxwell’s door. Mr Hewitt found it was Maxwell seeking admission, and he told him to cease knocking, at the same time getting closer to the door, to bar His progress. Maxwell then had a Webley five-cliambercd revolver in his right hand, resting in the hollow of his left arm, and pointing downwards. Mr Hewitt told Maxwell to put the weapon away, and not be foolish, but the only reply he got was, “ I will,” repeated two or three times. Maxwell then immediately after discharged the weapon at Mr Hewitt, the bullet entering about the lower part of the thigh, and passing out at the back. Mr Plewitt, finding he was shot, ran out on to the balcony and got down by the fire escape. Mr Sargisson, who had heard the shot fired, went upstairs to render help, but it being dark he deemed “ discretion the better part of valor,” and under the circumstances wiser to beat a retreat when a five-chambered loaded revolver was at hand. Dr’s Milne-Thomson and Somerville were sent for, and attended to the injured man. J. Lawton started away for the police, closely followed by Mr Sargisson, and Constable Kennedy was soon on the scene. He proceeded upstairs, and by speaking loudly found Maxwell, who went away very quietly to the police station. He had drawn three of the cartridges, and they with the revolver are in the posession of the police. The weapon is by no means a toy affair, the bullet being an uglylooking one. On being searched nothing was found but a few private articles, three revolver cartridges, and two Lee-Enfield cartridges, with the charges drawn.

Last evening prisoner made enquiries as to the state of the injured man, enquiring where he had been wounded, expressing satisfaction that the bullet had gone clean through, and hoping nothing serious would result. He added that he bore the young man no ill-will whatever. It would ill become us as journalists to give heed to all that may be said by gossips, as nothing may be published detrimental to a prisoner while his case is subjudice. Prisoner was formally charged to-day at the Magistrate’s Court before Mr W. Moloney, J.P., with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Prisoner, who was evidently “ suffering a recovery ” from the drink, and appeared to feel his position very acutely, was represented by Mr Scott-Smith.

Constable Kennedy said the offence was a very serious one, and lie applied for a remand till Tuesday, by which date it was hoped the injured man might be able to give evidence. Mr Scott-Smith asked that bail be allowed under the Justices of the Peace Act.

The police objocted to Mrs Maxwell being accepted as bail. Prisoner, who said he was 35 years of age, and never before been arrested for a crime, said he was not strong and pleaded hard not to he sent back to the cell. Dr. Milne-Thomson could state his health was bad.

The Bench said the charge was a serious one, and the circumstances were exceptional, and remanded prisoner to the 10th inst., bail allowed, two sureties in jGIOO each, independent of Mrs Maxwell, and himself in .£2OO.

Mr Hewitt is progressing very satisfactorily.