PAPANUI SHOOTING CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1929, Page 2

PAPANUI SHOOTING CASE

COURT HEARS CLAIM, INJURED MAN AWARDED DAMAGES/ CHRISTCHURCH, .Time 12. John Armstrong, of Durham St., a labourer, claimed £l9B lfis as .-damages from Frederick Richardson, of. Green’s Road, Papanui, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Mr 11. A- Young, S.M. presided. Mr Stacey 'appeared for plaintiff and Mr Tbomals for defendant. Armstrong was shot in the neck by Richardson at Papanui on Mlurch Bth. Richardson was convicted in the Supreme Court of assault so as to cause actual bodily harm and was (admitted to probation for two years. The statement of claim set out that on March Bth. 1929, at Greeny’s Road, Christchurch, Richardson had assaulted Armstrong by discharging! a firearm at tho plaintiff in such manner as

a———aa—gy——^ I to cause injury to the*plaintiff’s neck] | and back and spoiling lifs clothes. In consequence of 'this• plaintiff was for four days confined to hospital, was for seven weeks unable to work, and had incurred .expenses for medical and surgical attention. The sum of £l9B lfis damages was therefore claimed. In giving judgment, the Magistrate said that plaintiff was entitled to damages. Thero was no reason why plaintiff had been off work for seven weeks, except that he had been unable to work. Seven weeks’ wages at £5 a week would be allowed, £2 Its hospital expenses, £2 2s medical expenses and £1 10s taxi hire. Substantial general damages would he allowed, for Armstrong would have to carry pellets around in his body for the rest of his lie. He was also suffering some slight pain from a pellet in the throat. Tt seemed to the Magistrate that for the pain caused and the shock, Armstrong was entitled to £IOO general damages. Court costs £3 11s, and witnesses’ expenses £5 Bs, and solicitor’s fee £8 fis, were allowed.