DISCHARGING FIREARMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1393, 1 May 1915, Page 2

DISCHARGING FIREARMS.

DEFENDANT FINED. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr J. W. Poyutou, S.M., Thomas Staff was charged ou the information of the police that he did on Apr!! 14th dis charge a firearm (pea litle) within the borough contrary to the Borough by-law. Defendant pleaded guilty.

Constable Woods said that defendant, who had not been long in Koxtou, owned a property in Norbiton road, and was in the habit of shooting birds with a pea rifle. He also had a revolver and a shot gun. This shooting was a source of danger to people in the vicinity, and he understood one of the bullets had struck the top of a house.

Asked by the Magistrate if this was so, defendant said he didn't know. He saw the woman, and she said her boy could repair it alright, and she didn’t think it would leak in any case. He had sown some grass, and the birds wouldn't leave it alone so he was shooting them. The Magistrate remarked that to use a pea rifle for this purpose was a very dangerous practice, particularly if there were children about.

Defendant said there wasn’t anyone about at the time. The Magistrate said that defendant should use fine shot with a shot gun for shooting birds. He must be more careful in the future. Defendant was fined 30s with costs 7s.