SENSATIONAL EPISODE IN AUCKLAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1715, 16 February 1895, Page 2

SENSATIONAL EPISODE IN AUCKLAND .

A SOLICITOR FIRED AT ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT A man named Joseph Swam l was arrested at Auckland on Wednesday, charged with having attempted to kill and murder Mr Hugh Campbell, solicitor, by shooting at him with a revolver. It is alleged Swann suddenly drew a revolver from his pocket and presented it at Mr Campbell’s head. The latter sprang but of his chair, and narrowly escaped being shot, the ball entering the wall at his back. With the aid of his clerks, who, on hearing the shot rushed into the room, Mr Campbell succeeded in wrenching the revolver from the hands of the accused, who was then overpowered and kept in the office till a policeman arrived. On the accused arriving at the station .. it was discovered that the revolver was loaded in every chamber. Swann is a farmer, residing at Raglan. At the Police Court on Thursday Jolin Swann Was charged with that he did on the 13th February feloniously attempt to kill and murder one Hugh Campbell, Mr Baume defended, and asked, as the accused ; had only been arrested the previous afternoon, that there should be an adjournment until Tuesday. This was granted, but ah application for bail was refused. THE ACCUSED,

The accused denies that he had any intention of hurting Mr Campbell, and has averred to his brother that when the revolver was fired it was behind his back. It is also stated that ho has carried a revolver ever since Mr and Mrs Pook and child, the-two firstnamed his sister and brother-in-law, wore ihurdered at Waipiro Bay three years ago. He states that he fired the revolver in order to get his alleged grievances aired in a law court.