ALLEGED SHOOTING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 505, 12 April 1933, Page 5

ALLEGED SHOOTING

(Press Assn.-

CHRISTCHURCH CASE MARRIED WOMAN CHARGED WITH FIRING REVOLVER AT SALESMAN COUNTER CHARGES MADE

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Christchurch, Tuesday. Myrtle Long, a married woman, aged 45 years, was to-day committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge that on March 25, with intent to do grievous bodily harm, she discharged a loaded revolver at Arthur Henry Way, a salesman. When Mrs. Long first appeared she was charged with attempted murder, but to-day the police offered no evidence on this charge, which was accordingly dismissed and the other charge submitted. Accused is an Ameriean by birth. Way gave evidence that he had been employed by Mrs. Long as a salesman and had frequently to visit her home at Cashmere to discuss business transactions. When he called on March 25, there was a dispute about a house and a heated argument followed. He did not rememher what happened exactly, the shooting was so sudden he could not remember anything about it. Accused had not previously threatened to shoot him. One bullet lodged in the left forearm and another struck him slightly on the shoulder. He went to the hospital where the bullet was removed. He still owed Mrs. Long a sum of money. He frequently received goods from her to sell, and during the past two years he had sold for her about £200 worth. Another witness gave evidence as to hearing altercations and shots at Mrs. Long's house on March 25. Detective Sergeant O'Brien produced a statement of accused in which she stated her husband resided in Wellington until three years ago. He used to own the Home Supply Company at Christchurch, but the business went into liquidation three years ago. She met Way when helping in her husband's business. He told her he could give her valuable information which would help her obtain a divorce from her husband. He had borrowed money from her, about £200 in the last three years: When she refused to give him money

he said he would tell her husband that he, Way, had been living with her. On a previous occasion he had been removed from her house by the police, but he returned and threatened to cut her throat on March 25. He showed signs of liquor and she ordered him out. He refued to go and asked her to lend him £15 to buy out his partner. She got him out aud closed the door. He kieked the door and she threatened to shoot him. She went upstairs to her room for the revolver which she kept fully loaded in fear of Way. She went down to the- door and told him she had the revolver and would shoot him. She opened the door and fired a number of shots at him. She did not intend to kill him, but to make him "go out of her life." If she went to gaol it would not be worse than her home while this man visited her. There was no intimacy between them. Mrs. Long was admitted to bail in self of £200 and one security of £200. Way pleaded not guilty to being found without lawful excuse on the premises occupied by Mrs. Long and to being an idle and disorderly person, having insufficient means of support. His case was adjourned, bail being allowed.