THE BANNISTER STREET SENSATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8118, 12 April 1906, Page 5

THE BANNISTER STREET SENSATION.

POULSON BEFORE THE COURT.

At the Magistrate's Court, yesterday morning, before Messrs J. H. Pauling and Tbo9. Duncan, J'a.P., Arthur Poulaoa was charged with having been diunk in Bannister Street on Tuesday night, and with having discharged a revolver and having ammunition iu his possession. Mr P. L. Hollings appeared for accused, who pleaded guilty. In addressing the Court, Mr Hollines stated that there had always been trouble between accused and his wife, and only a week or two ago a separation order had been granted on condition that accused left Masterton and went to Australia. After being in Wellington for some time,/ accused returned to Masterton. Accused bad stated that he had no intention of firing the revolver or shooting his wife. Mr Hollings suggested that aocused, instead of being imprisoned, should be sent to Australia. Mr Hollings waa prepared to find his passage money. Constable Kyle, in giving evidence, Htated that on Tuesday evening, about 10.45 he heard a shot in the direction of Bannister Street. From enquiries made he ascertained that It was aooused who had fired the shot. Witness went to the residence of Mrs Poulson and found accused there. When spoken to, accused denied having fired or being in possesion of a weapon or ammunition. Witness searched Poulson, and found he had a revolver, three ohambers of whioh were loaded and two empty, in his possession. He had several loose cartridges in one of his pockets. Accused, who told witness that be had purchased the revolver in Weilingtan on Tuesday, was under the influence of drink. Arthur La Roche stated that he met acoused in Bannister Street on Tuesday night, and was conversing with him. Poulson spoke about his domestic affairs, and said he was going home. He passed a remark that "if they don't say anything, it will be all right, but otherwise they will have to look after themselves." Aocused pulled something out of his pookec, whioh witness for the moment thought was a iiipe. it was, however, a revolver, and when aocused held his arm out, a cartridge fell out of the revolver. Accused pulled the trigger of the weapon a second time and a report followed. Witness asked acoused to hand him the revolver, but, he refused. Aocused then started for /Mrs Poulson's place, and witness decided that the best thing to do was to accompany him. After they had gone a short distance, witness asked Poulson to wait for him while he went baok for a handkerchief. Witness then informed the police. Mrs Poulson stated that acoused entered her bedroom. A few words passed between them, and then witness heard the click of a revolver. Poulson tried to look the door. The constable then arrived, and arrested accused. Witness stated that she was afraid of acoused, who had threatened on a previous occasion, to "do" for them both if tUTey were separated. After retiring, the Bench expressed the opinion that aocused had come to Masterton with the fixed determination to shoot his wife. He was fortunate in not having a oacital charge to answer. The Bench stated that they desired to protect Mrs Poulson. Acoused would be bound over to keen the peace for twelve months in his own recognisance of £25, and one surety of £25, acoused to be kept in custody till the surety is forthcoming and then to go to Australia.