MAYFIELD TRAGEDY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 89, 25 January 1938, Page 6

MAYFIELD TRAGEDY.

FARMER FOUND SHOT IN SHED. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. The inquest into the death of Jame 9 Toner, aged 49, a farmer, of Mayfield, who was found yesterday morning with a gun shot wound in the back of his head, was opened yesterday afternoon before the Coroner (Mr E. C. Bathurst) and after two witnesses were heard was adjourned to enable the medical record of deceased to be obtained. Sergeant J. F. Cleary conducted the inquest. James Toner, labourer, of Mayfield, a nephew of deceased, at whose farm he resided, gave evidence of identification, saying deceased was a returned soldier. His uncle went about his work in the usual way, ate a good breakfast, and went into the yai'd at the fat m at 9.30, when he appeared to be in his normal state of health.. Soon afterwards witness noticed him working at some blocks and chains, putting them in heaps'for the purpose of selling them at a clearing sale which was to take place on his farm, which had recently been sold. At about 10 o clock witness was iri the house at the farm when he heard a single report of a shot-gun, but took no notice. Mr David Harvey was also in the yard at the time, and called to witness, who went out, both going to the shed from which the noise had come. They found deceased there. Ho saw blood on the floor below his head, and summoned assistance. The farm was sold about 10 days ago, and witness said that deceased, from liis manner since, was worrying about it, and regretted selling the farm. His normal health was good, and to the knowledge of witness, deceased was suffering from no complaint. To the Coroner, witness said lie did not know why deceased had sold the farm, and did not know his financial position. Constable J. E. IL Myers said that on arriving at the scene of the tragedy he found deceased dead in a shed oil the farm. He was on his knees in a crouching position. There was a large wound in the back of his skull, on the left side. He had a single-bar,relied shot-gun clenched in his left hand, and there was a discharged cartridge in the gun. From the size of the wound death must have been instantaneous.