THE GUN ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 118, 27 May 1885, Page 4

THE GUN ACCIDENT.

Coroner's Inquost.

An inqueßt was hold at tho Queen's Hotel yesterday afternoon, before Dr. Philsonand a jury, of whom Mr Heath was chosen foreman, on the body of Waterhouse Nicholson, who was accidentally shot at Mount Eden Railway Station on Monday evening. Sergeant Gamble represented the police. The following evidence was taken :—Ernest R. Brabazon was called, and gavo evidence similar in effect to that published in our last evening's issue. Ho said ho had known tho deceased about eight years. He was a fellow clerk in H.M. Customs. They wore all sobor at the time of their return to the Mount Eden Railway Station on the return from their Bhooting trip. They had a very little brandy when they rose that morning, but not moro than several teaspocnfuls, from a flask which they had with them. Their clothes were all wet at the time. Ho was not aware that thero was a by-law prohibiting loaded firearms from being takon into a railway carriage. Deceased know that his gun was loaded.—Herbert Brabazon deposed that ho was standing on tho carriage in front of deceased, when his attention was called to a boy who was forcing his way tnrough tho people on tho platform, evidently with tho object of getting into tho carriage Ho asked him where he was rushing to, and thon turned his back towards the deceased. Immediately aftorwards ho hoard tho explosion of tho gun, followed by a groan. When he looked round ho saw deceased on tho ground, and somebody lifting him. Ho did not believe tho hammer of tho gun foil at all, as when it was picked up tho pieco was still at half* cock. Tho pinfiro cartridges wore very sensitive, and in the morning they had to tap tho barrel with a tomahawk before they could force the cartridge home. Ho believed that the concussian, when doccascd placed tho stock on tho ground, was sufficient to cause tho explosion without tho fall of the hammer, Dr. Lawry deposed that when ho was called to see doceasod bo found him at the Mount Eden Railway Station lying on his back with his head supported on one of the game bngs. There was a large freeh wound on tho Bido of tho face, the oyo was destroyed, and tho bones of tho front of tho right half of tho skull woro shattered. Tho brain protruded through the upper part of the wound. Deceased was unconscious, but breathing steadily and strongly. Ho groaned, but did not speak. Ho only survived about 10 or 15 minutes, dying on the Rpol. The cause of death was injury to tho brain.— The verdict was one of " Accidental Death," without blamo attaching to anyone,