PORT HILLS FATALITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 26, 7 March 1914, Page 5 (Supplement)

PORT HILLS FATALITY.

YOUNG MAN SHOT. BODY FOUND THIS MORNING. WELL-KNOWN ATHLETE, - Frederick L. Mouldey, aged 28, a son of Mr E. C. Mouldey, wine merchant, of Christchurch, was found on the Port Hills this morning, dead. He had been out shooting rabbits, and had apparently shot himself accidentally. It appears that the young man went out shooting about 11 o'clock yesterday forenoon, on the Port Hills. He was a good sport, and quite conversant with the use and handling of firearms. When he did not return in the evening some anxiety was felt, and a search was made.

The search was fruitless until about 7.15 this morning, when Mouldey's body was found by Mr King, of Lyttelton.

Assistance was secured, and the remains were carried to Mr Mouldey's residence, at Heathcote Valley, where an inquest was held at midday.

The news of the accident was received in town with much regret by the friends of the young man and his family. Fred. Mouldey was a wellknown an,d popular athlete, and one who, if he had chosen to specialise in one sport, would have gone a long way towards being a top-notcher. He was a fine figure of a man, about, six feet in height, arid weighing nearly 13 stone. He was very good at Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, in which department of sport he might have become a champion. At one time he was in the volunteers, and later joined the Rifle Club, and hi| shooting ability was above the average. He is spoken of by his friends as an exceptionally deejent young fellow, truly modest, and a fine sportsman. For some years he was under Mr F. A. Hornibrook at his School of Physical Culture, and Mr Hornibrook formed a high opinion of his physical and other qualities. He had travelled fairly extensively, having been in England, the Continent, America, and the East, so that he had seen more of the World than most young colonists.

THE INQUEST. An inquest into the circumstances of the death was held this morning before Mr H. W. Bishop, district coroner. , t Alexander McDowell, cabinetmaker, of Christchureh, and living at Heathcote, a brother-in-law of the deceased, stated that deceased was about .30 ; 9 ; f agei and'a wine distiller by occupation, -leva's well used to firearms, and used often to go on the hills shooting rabbits. Witness knew nothing about F the accident. Deceased was a single man. Frederick King, a fruit grower, living at Heathcote,,said that he knew the deceased, very well. Yesterday morning at about 11.30 hp: was working on the hill when deceased came up to him carrying a gun- They talked for a few minutes, and then deceased saw a rabbit and went after it. He was away some time and came,, back with one rabbit, saying that he was going in to dinger. He left witness and went across towards the hQuse.. About 7.30 this morning th« father came and reported that deceased was missing, and witness made a search, as a result of which he stated that he found deceased lying on his back, with the barrel of the gun rested on the left shoulder, and the left arm over the gun. Witness left the body as he found it, and immediately fang up the police. He could not explain how the accident occurred, but he had seen the deceased leaning on the barrell of the guri. Both hammers of the gun were down, one cartridge being discharged/while the other was loaded. He though the accident was purely accidental. Dr A. J. Orchard said he knew the deceased well, and had examined the body. The cause of death was a gunshot wound, the charge haying entered the front of the neck, proceeding upwards and shattering the skull. It was a wouud at very close quarters, and might have been caused as the result of deceased, leaning on the gun. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his, death by being accidentally shot w&ile shooting .rabbits.