YOUNG MAN SHOT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1933, Page 6

YOUNG MAN SHOT

IN STRUGGLE WITH INTRUDER

POLICE 'SCOUR THE DISTRICT. (Per Press Association —Copyright). CHRISTCHURCH, September 20. A shooting sensation is reported from Kinvee, when Allot: Caygi 11 Gallagher, ajjd 19. son of a farmer, was shot above the heart by an intruder whom he found in his father’s .garage when he returned late from a meeting in the township. There-was a brief struggle, and the intruder fired. After dropping a swag, he escaped. Gallagher was taken to hospital, where his condition is reported to he satisfactory. 'His was a lucky escape. The police are scouring the district.

FURTHER DETAILS

A PLUCKY YOUTH

CHRISTCHURCH, September 20

Gallagher had a remarkable escape from death. A bullet is embedded an inch and a half above the centre of the left breast. He is conscfous m the hospital and has related the story to the police. Gal’agher was shot while pluckily grappling with a man whom he found lurking in the farm buildings. He saw the man making away with a, swag and chased him, catching him. The two men struggled briefly, when the man whipped olit a firearm of some desotip jtifon land 'Shot , Gallagher, afterwards making 'his escape over the paddocks at the back of the farm buildings. The swag which consisted of a numbei of articles including a distributor from Gallagher’s family car and a magneto 'from a tractor, was dropped 'in the man’s haste.

JJilott Gallagher and two brothers, Graham and Joseph, live with thenfather, David Gallagher, in a lonely .farm house on the main roa-d between Kirwee and Darfield., The house stands in a thick belt of trees, 250 yards off 'the road.

Last night, Allott GaUagber and his brothe r Graham attended a bible class meeting at Kirwee. They left Kirwee together at ten o’clock riding push ■bicyales. They had not been long on the journey home when the pedal came off Allot: Gallagher’s bicycle and bis brother went on. Through that delay, Allott arrived home some time later tha. n -his brother. He wa s putting his cycle in the car shed, when he noticedan intruder, who rushed out. He esught him in a dozen strides, and there was ai struggle. It was then the ■man shot Gallagher at point blank range, making his escape over a fence. G-aMagher, who wa' s badly hurt, shouted for help, but was not heard by those, inside the house .as % high wind was blowing. The youth struggled gamely--across the yard and up a parii to the . back door, where his knocking -was heard'.and members.-,of the family came 'rushing? to• see..what was wrongMedical- and police aid wa S: invmedh ntely summoned. The: search, for ; the. assailant- continues.. . “; >