HAMILTON SHOOTING AFFAIR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 815, 22 February 1910, Page 4

HAMILTON SHOOTING AFFAIR.

PAULL COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Hamilton, February 19. Joliu Minton Pauli, who was arrested in connection with the shooting case at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton, on the Bth hist, when Ward and Jordan, hank officials, were fned at while conveying money from Hamilton to Ohaupo, appeared on remand this morn.ng on a charge of attempted murder.

The proceedings lasted all day, and closed this evening, thirty witnesses being examined. Leslie Jordan, who was shot on the occasion, gave formal evidence. Other witnesses deposed variously to seeing a man, alleged to be accused, in the vicinity of the creek with a gun, since traced to have been previously in the possession of accused. Pauli, when arrested, in a statement denied having been at the creek or having any knowledge of the occuirence.

The evidence showed that accused told the old stableman when he hired the horse on Tuesday morning that he was going to Terapa, and that the gun he was then carrying was to be mended there. The evidence also showed that he was seen in a totally opposite direction to Terapa.

Towards the close of the case a somewhat sensational statement was put in, in which accused, it was alleged, was coerced by certain Maoris, and practically had to take a hand in the affair, under pain of death- He states that he met the Maoris, one of whom said his object was to waylay the bank officials, and that if he did not assist on Tuesday he would be a dead man. This was some days previous to the Bth. Pauli alleges that he did not fire the shot which struck Jordan, but that the Maori did, who afterwards went away. The police evidence, however, shows all endeavours to find the Maoris implicated fruitless, and the evidence of several witnesses goes to show that no Maoris or others were about at the time Pauli was seen. The evidence of the doctor states that between eighty and ninety shots struck Jordan, some of which were still embedded in his head, and he is suffering from facial paralysis. Mr McDearmid, on behalf of accused, said no plea would be entered at this stage. Detective Marsack said it was necessary to either enter a plea of “Guilty” or “Not Guilty.”

Mr McDearmid still contended that he need enter no plea, and this being accepted the accused was committed tor trial at the Hamilton Supreme Court sitting on the 28th instant.