A SERIOUS CASE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8339, 23 January 1907, Page 3

A SERIOUS CASE.

On Sunday afternoon Constables 'Tanner and Cooper arrested, at his mother's house, in Pahiatua, a,young man named F. J. E. Baucke, says • the Pahiatua Herald! - It appears ■ that between half-past twelve and •one o'clock on Friday morning the ■ accused was endeavouring to enter a house in Scarborough b'ccupied by Mr ~. F, H. Baucke, when the dogs barking furiously aroused Mr Frank Baucke. On being discovered,, the accused made off, followed by Frank arid his brother, but as Herbert went to open the gate accused turned round - and presented a revolver, calling out„< "'Don't come any further; it is" loaded, and I shall fire!" which he • did on. his warning being disregarded. Mr Frank Baucke had in the meanvtime picked up a stone and threw it, intending to knock the revolver out of the accused's hand, but accused started to retreat, pelted by the two * brothers, and firing in return at Herbert. Altogether, three shots were -fired, but luckily none took effect.' The accused; however, received some nasty bruises before getting away. Constables Tanner and Cooper eventually found the accused hiding under the bed in a front bed-room, with a fully-loaded five-chambered revolver by his side, and arrested him. On being searched, a bottle of laudanum was found in the inside pocket of the • accused's coat and four revolver cart- . ridges in his right trousers pocket. /The laudanum, the accused stated, he had intended taking himself, as he placed no value on his life. Accused had been reading a book on rationalism, in.which he had marked several passages, some of which argued the legality of putting anyone suffering out of the way and the perfect right of an individual to take his own life. jßy Telegraph—Press Association. PAHIATUA, January 22. At a sitting of the Magistrate's 'Court, yesterday afternoon, F. J. E. .Baucke was committed for trial at cthe next sitting dof the. Wellington Suprems Co art on the charge of shooting with intent to do bodily harm. A second charge of breaking . and entering was dismissed.