Fired On the Huntsmen

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 122, 13 August 1927, Page 10

Fired On the Huntsmen

Farmer's Emphatic Objection to Hounds A hunting dispute which led to a charge of shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm came before Air. Justice Avory at the Cornwall Assizes. In the dock was Leslie Woodall, aged 36. a smallholder, who was accused of shooting at Samuel Thomas Greenaway. For the prosecution. Mr. J. L. Pratt said Air. Greenaway lived in a country which was hunted by two packs of hounds. Woodall objected to the hunts going through the wood near his bungalow, and had written to one pack warning them not to do so. On this occasion. Mr. Greenaway, with two or three other huntsmen, was riding past the bungalow toward the wood. Woodall stood outside and held up his hand. Air. Greenaway rode on. and Woodall seized a gun and fired at Air; Greenaway, who was about 30 yards away. Air. Greenaway’s horse was hit. but he himself was not. Mr. Greenaway said he was trotting along when his pony suddenly leaped, and he heard a report of a gun. He did not stop, but at the end of half a mile found that his horse was bleeding near the tail. Dr. Kingdom who was riding with the hounds, said Air. Greenaway had just joined them when he saw Woodall pick up a gun and fire at Mr. Greenaway. He did not fire into the air. Woodall, who wore two war medals, said he was a Londoner who had recently gone to Cornwall to live. He had written pointing out that the woods were not available for the hunt. He had no objection to hunting as such, but thought his living should come before other people’s sport. That morning he had taken out his gun to scare away a hawk. As the riders came along he went out into the road and put up his arm to stop them. “As I stood there the leader ran down on me, but I got clear. I lost my temper at this unprovoked assault, and, rushing across the road, took my gun from the stable door. “I thought I could deter the others by firing at Air. Greenaway! I took aim to ensure his safety, giving a clearance of six feet at a range of 40 yards.” In cross-examination, Woodall said he had no doubt that if Air. Greenaway had ridden him down the other followers of the hounds would have riden over him. His firing was a demonstration that he was going to defend himself against further assault. Woodall, who was found not guilty of shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm and of maliciously wounding the horse, was fined £2O and costs for common assault.”