Gunshot Shatters Train Window

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 666, 18 May 1929, Page 1

Gunshot Shatters Train Window

PASSENGERS STARTLED BOY SEEN HIDING As the Auckland-bound tram from Papatoetoe passed under the overhead bridge at Market Road this morning the glass of one ot the doors was broken by a pellet which was evidently fired from a gun. Passengers in the car were startled by splinters ot glass falling round them. When the carriage was searched a lead pellet was found lying on the floor. It was flattened by the force of the blow against the glass. The driver of the train, Mr. McGrath, stated that as the train passed under the bridge he saw* a lad crouching beside one of the piles as though ho were trying to hide. Passengers who frequently use the train say that they have seen a boy loitering about in the vicinity of the bridge on several occasions. There were not a great number of passengers in the car, which was the sixth on a train of eight cars. Four men were playing cards near the door and several others were sitting reading and talking in the carriage. Suddenly, above the rumble of the train, the glass panel of the door leading on to the platform was broken and pieces of glass fell on the floor. No one in the car was injured. Mr. J. Melican, guard on the train, said this morning that a hole nearly as large as an orange was made in the glass of the door. Several pellet marks wrere found on the door dividing the two compartments of the carriage, but only one pellet was found on the floor. The police have been notified and are making inquiries.