THE CANNON CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1921, Page 1

THE CANNON CASE.

A CHARGE REDUCED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 21. At the Lyttelton' Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr S. E. M’Carthy, S.AL, William Cannon v.as charged on remand with the attempted murder of his wife Ruby Cannon, on August 15; also that be carried a pistol beyond the limits of his dwellinghouse without a permit; that he presented a pistol at one Ruby Cannon without sufficient and lawful purpose, and that h 0 wilfully damaged one cell can valued at 255., the property of the New Zealand Government. Acting-Detective Joyce said that in company with a mate, Cannon bad been drinking around the town on the date in question, after which he went home. On meeting his wife there he had “words with her.” Airs Cannon then proceeded to the home of a friend named Gallagher, and Cannon, went into his own house. Taking a pistol, lie said to his mate, named Jensen. that he was going along to frighten his wife. When he reached AlpGallagher’s he entered the kitchen an A pointed the firearm at his wife. H“d he wished to do her any harm he could have done so. As he pointed the pistol towards his wife two of Airs Gallagher's sons closed in on Cannon and in the struggle the pistol was discharged, the bullet going through a wallf He asked for the ATagist rate’s permission co withdraw the charge ef attempted murder, which lie was afraid could not be proved. The Alagistrate granted the request under the circumstances. Air F. I). Sargent who appeared on behalf of Cannon, said that it was the first time that Cannon had appeared in Court in any rapacity, and ho bore an excellent ciiaracted as would be testified by many prominent Lyttelton residents. ‘He was a hard working man and bad served three years at the war where he had been gassed. It was very likely that it. took very little drink to affect him in a way which caused him to do what he did. He had quarrelled with his wife because lip objected to her visiting certain of ho>frionds, and on the evening in question, about six o’clock, when he went home, his wife left to go to Airs Galinglictr'.s lionste. Tie took the pistol which he did not know was loaded at the time, with the intention of frightening his wife. The pistol in question :i war trophy, uys registered. He wish ed to point out that Cannon had bought a house which was in his wife s name only. It a fine was inflicted the wife would he the one to suffer most. The affair had occurred through drink, and in view that Cannon had asked that a prohibition order be taken out against him, he wished to suggest that the Bench might see its wav clear to firing him un for spntmr'o when called upon. The accused find spent two and a half days in prison already and keenly l',»lt his position.

The A 1 gist-rate said that the habit of pointing firearms at people should he stopped. No doubt in the present cues Cannon, who had been to the war. had got into the habit. Tie would under the eircuinstatieos adjourn sentence sine die. The pistol would he taken charge of by Hie police, but in view of file fact- that if was a war trophy Cannon could make an application to the Court when he wished to have it returned. Tie would have to pay the value of the cell can damaged.