PAKARAE SHOOTING CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2215, 12 June 1908, Page 2

PAKARAE SHOOTING CASE.

THE PATIENT’S PROGRESS.

At a late hour last night news was received from Pakarae that the patient Mary Agnes (“Minnie’ ) Poters i was maltin'- fair progress, and was quite conscious, and that Dr. Reeve and Mr. J. It. Shaw (licensee of the Pakarae Hotel) were very pleased to sen her much improved. Dr. Itoevo stayed at Pakarae all night, and Dr. Collins will return thero this morning, leaving Gisborne at about 8 o clock. He will dress the wound, and expects to he hack in Gisborne early this afternoon. In all probability Dr. Reeve will also jeturn.

turn, , ~ Dr. Collins performed-an operation yesterday, and removed a portion of tlio rib that was fractured by the bullet that entered the chest. A trained nurso is also in attendance, and everything that surgical skill can devise is being done for the unfortunate girl’s comfort. _ Dr. Collins has decided, in view of the patient’s imnrovod_ condition, to allow her some little time to recover her strength, and will, when she is able to undertake the journey, have her removed to Gisborne to he operated upon to have the bullet removed from the brain. Dr. _ Collins is of opinion that the brain is not injured to any great extent by the bullet, and that if the girl recovers from tlio operation she will not he affected with paralysis, which usually intervenes upon any injury to the spinal cord. If the operation is undertaken it will he a very difficult ami rare one, as the whole of the work of extracting the pellet will have to ho done through the mouth and an anaesthetic will have to be used. At present Dr. Collins’ plan is that Miss Petersen will be first chloroformed in the ordinary way, and an opening (called in surgery tracheotomy) will bo made in the trochea or windpipe. A silver tube will be inserted into the windpipe, through which the patient will inhale the chloroform vapour, leaving the mouth and nose free for the operation. Dr. Collins returned to Gisborne at about a quarter to four yesterday afternoon, making a fast trip. He told a “Times” reporter that lie was very tired after his journey, as while tlio patient was in a critical condition lie was constantly at her side. On the return journey he narrowly escaped an accident when crossing the Pakarae river, his buggy getting into a hole, and tlio occupants were nearly capsized. THE ACCUSED.

The man, "Walter Symons, who is charged with the crime, was not so well in mind after the Court proceedings yesterday as ho was on Wednesday. He seemed worried and apparently realises tlio serious position ho is in. He has been asked by the police if ho would like to engage counsel to appear for him at his trial, but replied in the negative, and as far as is known ho has no money with which to retain a lawyer. His parents have been communicated with, but it is not known if they are making any provision for him to he represented by counsel at his trial.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT, CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED ' MURDER.

The Magistrate’s Court was the chief centre of attraction yesterday morning,' and immediately after the doors were opened all the available space for the public was taken up. The accused mail, Walter Symons, is a clean-shaven, powerfully-built man, and was dressed quietly in a dark suit, soft white shirt, and felt 'hat. While awaiting the comings of the Justices, Messrs J. F. Sheridan and Vincent Pyke, Symons occupied a seat on the form behind the dock, and a constable was seated on each side of him. He seemed to thoroughly realise tlio extreme gravity of his position, and he was apparently nervous, but when the case was called, and he stepped into the dock:, Symons appeared to regain his selfpossession. He only spoke on two occasions, and his answers were given clearly and firmly in a rather loud voice.

.Symons was charged with, that he did, on Juno 9th, 1908, at Pakarae. in the Dominion of New Zealand, feloniously slioot with a certain revolver loaded with powder and divers -lwitreuTmnotsr\nt~aifd 'againstone, Mary Agnes Petersen, with intent in so doing, then and thereby feloniously and wilfully and with malice aforethought to kill and murder the said Mary Agnes Petersen. Sergt. Hutton asked for a remand until Thursday, June 18, but on the clerk pointing out that the day was unsuitable, the day was altered to triday, June 19. Mr. Sheridan (to accused): Are you represented by counsel? Accused: No. Mr. Sheridan: Have you any objection to make to the remand? Accused: No. Accused was thereupon remanded until Friday, June 19th. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Symons was at once removed from the Court by the back entrance, and was again conveyed to the gaol.