SHOOTING OF BOY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1943, Page 3

SHOOTING OF BOY

THE OAMARU INCIDENT STORY TOLD IN COURT (By Telegraph—Press Association.) OAMARU, December 22. A sequel to Sunday’s shooting incident when an Oamaru boy, Ernest Little, aged 16, was wounded by a charge from a shot gun, was heard before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M, in the Children’s Court, today, a boy 12 years of age being charged with having fired a shot gun with intent to do grievous bodily harm to Little. For the police Detective Sergeant G. Taylor said that on Sunday afternoon four Oamaru boys went to the vicinity of an old mill for the purpose of having a look at the water wheel. While crossing a bridge they were accosted by the boy against whom the charge had been preferred. He apparently considered the other boys had no right to be there and an argument began in which bad language was allegedly used. The boy charged then went away but returned with a .22 calibre rifle which he began to fire in the direction of the other boys. Four shots were fired, these going close to the boys. They then returned to the road and scattered. In the meantime the boy Little climbed to the top of a quarry for the purposes of observation and later noticed a movement in some bushes "from which a gun-was pointed at him. Before he could obtain cover the gun was fired, the charge striking Little on the body, the right leg. thigh and forearm. Though wounded Little was able to make his way to the road, where he was picked up by a passing motorist and subsequently taken to the Oamaru public hospital.' The detective sergeant added that Little was making a good recovery and would be discharged from hospital in a week or so. The Child Welfare Officer, Mi' R. Kennedy, made a statement concerning control of the boy and Suggested that in the meantime he should be placed under the care of the Child Welfare Department. The magistrate made an order accordingly covering the period till January 26, when the case will be proceeded with.