Fatal Gun Accident.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxii, Issue 6434, 29 November 1904, Page 3

Fatal Gun Accident.

United Press Association.—By Rlnofxic Telegraph—Copyright

Gisbohne, Nov. 28

News has been received that a To Arai Valley bushman named George King had been shot. Be aud his mate, having finished a contract, were preparing to strike camp, when a loaded gun standing in the whareaccidtntly went off,and shot King in the groin, killing him, Particulars of the Te Arsi Valley shooting affair were not to hand to-night. King's proper name is said to be J. Dodunsky, and his mate Treves is a).«o known as Schnell. They came from Taranaki. They had borrowed a tent, and were shifting camp when the accident occurred.

GrsBORNE, Nov. 29

The bodyiof the bush-feller named George King, who was shot at Papa-Tiatu yesterday was brought to town to-day. The affair was purely accidental. Deceased was holding the gun by the barrel when it weut off, the shot passing through hia hand and groin. Twelve men carried the body fourteen miles over a bush track.

King's correct name is August Volzke, and his age is 22. He was the son of a farmer at Midhirst, Taranalci. He and Schnell assumed other names because, having a reputation for good chopping in Taranaki, they hoped thus to hide their identity and get matches on with local bushmen. Schnell explains that they tramped fifty mile 3 cattle hunting on Sunday. Being tired <;ut on their return they put the gun down load d. When shifting camp yesterday Volzke, forgetting it was loaded, handled it carelessly, with the result that he was shot. He died within a minute. Home vim working in the locality, in true bushmen fashi-iy carried the body out over exceedingly rough country.