CARELESSNESS WITH FIREARMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8070, 28 March 1906, Page 2

CARELESSNESS WITH FIREARMS.

'«!■■' PEB IBESS ASSOCIATION. Gisbobkb, March 27. An accidental Bhooting case was investigated at the Magistrates Court today, a young man named (Peter Petersen being the defendant. No evidence was offered in the more serious charge and accused was then charged with having on 18th inst. at Motu, caused actual bodily harm to Edward Whiting, under such circumstances that if death had resulted ho would have been charged with manslaughter. Peterson luid been invited to the men's whare to dinner. Whiting wan shaving outside the whare, and du entering tho hut, uc. cased picked up a gun lie noticed stand* ing agaisnt the wall. He went to open it, and being accustomed to another kind, he lifted the hammer in order to open the breach. After lifting the hammer the charge exploded before he got the gun open. A hole about half an inch in diameter was blown through the wall, and the charge of shot ,mit Whiting's leather belt through, several pellets penetrating the abdomen. Accused admonished Whiting far leaving a loaded gun in tho whare.

The Magistrate said although accused had shown carelessness, it was purely a case of accident, which he would not be justified in sending to the Supreme Court. Whiting is still an inmate of the hospital, but is making good recovory.