AFFRAY IN THE NIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1921, Page 5

AFFRAY IN THE NIGHT.

ALLEGED ATTEMPTED MURDER. CHARGES AGAINST RANGER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Christchurch, Last Night. The hearing was continued to-day of two charges of attempted murder against James Scott Main, Acclimatisation Society’s ranger. The cases arose out of an affray at Springston on September 14, when bullet wounds were sustained by two men, Bartholomew M'Fvedy and Bernard Nuttall, the former being wounded in the wrist and thigh, the latter in the hand.

Robert Johnston, a traveller, gave evidence that he was staying at the Springston Hotel on the night of the affray. He was awakened by a motor car pulling up at the front door. An argument started and a woman’s voice asked a man named “Ted” to get into the car and come away. The person addressed refused, saying he was going to have it out with “thia Scotch —.” Witness heard the Scot (Main) asked to come out and fight. He saw Main put bis foot through the motor car lamp, and warn others to keep back or he would shoot the lot. He heard three shots fired in quick succession.

Witness went downstairs and saw the person who had been shot lying on the ground and two or three men holding Main. The latter got away and rode off on • a motor cycle. He appeared to be fairly sober by the way he mounted. One woman said, “For God’s sake don't let the police know of this; we want to keep it quiet.” The Magistrate said the evidence led him to believe there was no intention to kill on the part of accused, but to frighten and hit and thus disable. He reduced the charge from attempted murder to discharging a firearm with intent to ’do grievous bodily harm. Accused pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. He was committed for trial, bail being allowed.