TIMARU ARTILLERY CORPS.

On Saturday June 5, the return match between the above corps and the Lyttelton Company came off at the rifle range. The conditions were the same as before, viz., ton men aside, fire shots at 200, 300, 400 yards, any position. No return has as yet been received from the Lyttelton corps. The following is the detail of the firing of the Timaru men : —

On the 19th of June, eight men of the above corps met at the rifle range, for the purpose of competing iv a match for prizes, which consisted of a rifle as first prize, given by Mr Cardale, a gold pin as second prize, bought by the entrance money of the competitors for the first prize at 5s per head, and a meerschaum pipe given by Mr Beldy. The first prize was won by Gunner Machin, with a score of 46 points ; the second prize by Corporal Beldy, with a score of 36 points; and the third prize by Bombardier Blake, with a score of 26 points. The conditions of the mutch wero five shots at each range of 300, 400, and 500 yards. Hytho position. The following is the detail of the firing : —

INQUEST. An inquest was held at the Commercial Hotel, Timaru, on Saturday, the sth June, before the District Coroner, B. Woollcombe, Esq., on the body of Peter Thoumine, who died from the effects of a gun shot wound received on the 31st ultimo at the Otaio Station. A jury of fourteen were empannellcd, of whom Mr James Shepherd was elected foreman. . • Dr. McLean, the first witness examined, said : I am a medical practitioner residing m Timaru, I was sent for on Tuesday last, I went to the Otaio Station to attend upon the deceased. When I arrived I found the deceased suffering very badly from a gun shot wound under the left shoulder blade. The wound was about three quarters of an inch m diameter, extending m the direction of the collarbone, m which place I extracted a few shot from under the skin. By general symptoms I could perceive that the lungs were injured. Deceased was aware from what I said that his wound was mortal. I asked him if it was an accident, he.said " yes j" he said this twice, and seemed surprised when I asked the question the second time. The body lying, here is the body of Peter Thoumine. He came by his death by the gun shot wound. He was perfectly sensible when I first saw him, and commenced to make an explanation as to how the accident occurred, but not very intelligibly, and I did not trouble him. By Foreman: He told me that the gun had been loaded by both shot and bullet. By Jury: I could not have got to visit the deceased on Monday myself as I was professionally engaged, but I went the next morning. If I had gone on Monday night I could not have saved his life for the wound was mortal. John Henry Wallace, a lad 12 years of age, upon stating that he understood the nature of an oath, was sworn, and said : I was staying with the deceased who was living on the banks of the Makikihi. I went out on Monday last with deceased and my brother Fred, pig-hunting. I was with them all the time. About half-past ten m the morning we were chasing a big boar; deceased fired at it; my brother had then the stock of his gun on his knee m an upright position. I heard the report of my brother's gun immediately after the deceased's who was standing about four or five feet m front, the pig was about twenty yards off. I was behind my brother. I did not see him pull the trigger. I swear the gun was not up to his shoulder. When my brother's gun went off deceased did not fall but turned round and said " Fred, Fred, you're shot me." I saw powder and shot put m the gun, I did not see a bullet put m, but he said he had put one m after the shot. My mother and family have been on very intimate terms with the Thoumine's. I went out to stay there because my leg was bad. My brother came out hut Saturday. By Foreman: I had no gun. Before deceased fired, the pig was coming towards us, but then turned and ran away. Deceased walked home after he was wounded, which was three miles away. I left him before he got home to go for a doctor. I left him with my brother. Abraham Blackmore: I am an accommodation house-keeper. I know the deceased. I saw him' an Wednesday about twenty minutes past, four o'clock on the 2nd June. He sent for me. He was then quite sensible. He died that same evening at twenty minutes past ten o'clock. He died from the effects of a gun-shot wound. He showed me the wound while sitting up m bed. He said be

would like to have a fresh poultio , and when he was raised up he told uic that he hud nor, .oat up before, but he did it, he said, to show me the wound. He then said "' Don't you ever blame the boy, he could not help it, it was not his fault." He made a will and asked me to see it carried out. Ho then shook hands with me. He told me that they were out pig-hunting, aud that he had first fired at a pig while standing m front of young Frederick Wallace. They were standing m scrub. He said that Wallace had his (the deceased's gun. I know the gun ; it goes off very easily when full cocked. After a brief consultation the jury returned the following verdict — "That Peter Thoumine died on the 2nd of June last, from a gun-shot wound accidentally given him by Frederick Wallace pn the 31st day of May last."

Names. ST Si 8-2 | Lieut. Green ... 5 10 5 20 Sergt-Major Overmyer... 18 13 4 35 Sergt. Beswick ... 16 8 8 32 Corporal Cuff ... 10 15 10 35 „ Beldy ... 12 11 13 36 Bombr. Blake ... 18 18 16 52 „ Anderson ... 12 11 11 34 Gunner R. Wilson ... 15 15 12 42 „ F. Wilson ... 15 15 9 39 „ Machin ... 18 14 12 44 Total 369

Lieutenant Green ... 6 7 3 16 Sergt.-MajorOvermyer... 11 2 11 24 Sergt. Beswick 12 3 9 24 Corporal Beldj 10 10 16 36 Boinbr. Blake 9 10 7 26 Gnnner Oxberj 4 5 4 13 „ Machin 15 14 17 46 „ Wilson 11 6 6 23