FIRED ON POLICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 June 1927, Page 13

FIRED ON POLICE

“I Was Going to Murder Him” Young Man Tells the Court MOTHER TELLS SON’S TRAGIC HISTORY WHEN Constable Orme S. Power and Detective P. J. Nalder called at 50, Great South Road, on June 14, to inquire about the registration of a shot gun, they were fired on by Athol George Beamish White, a young man who was charged with the offence at the Police Court this morning.

rrrHITE, who was represented by Mr. Milliken, told Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., before the hearing of the evidence began, that he did not attempt to murder Constable Power. “I was going to murder him,” he said. A TRAGIC HISTORY The mother of accused said that he had left school early on account of an injury to his eye. He went to work on a sheep-station, and married at the age of 18. He lived with his wife for 12 months, and then returned home. It was about this time that witness first began to suspect her son’s mental state. He said that he could hear voices calling him. On June 1 he obtained a doublebarrelled shot-gun and on June 7 set out with a swag for Mount Wellington. He returned home the same day, but did not have his swag with him. He was very fond of guns, and purchased the last one for rabbit shooting in the country. For a time he was in the mental hospital, but since his discharge he continued to have delusions and talked a good deal on religious matters and spiritualism.

Detective P. J. kalder, in evidence, said that with Constables Power and Muir, he went to Mount Wellington and there found White’s pack and a letter addressed to Athol White, Great South Road. About noon, he and the other officers called at the house to see if White’s gun was registered. Constable Muir remained outside while witness and Constable Power went inside. They found White lying down in his bedroom, and as soon as he saw them, he seized the gun and drew it into a shooting position. “Constable F'ower grabbed the gun,” said witness, “and I held accused. But he pressed the trigger, and had not Constable Power deflected the barrel he would have been shot. The bullet lodged in the wall.” White said to Constable Power that he intended to shoot him. He then asked witness—“Do you think I’m the devil?” Rater on accused told them that God had come to him and said “Hello Athol.” Accused kept asking them if they were going to take him back to the asylum. (Proceeding.)