THE FATAL GUN ACCIDENT AT MOHAKA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 208, 31 August 1894, Page 3

THE FATAL GUN ACCIDENT AT MOHAKA.

(BY TELKGRAm.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

Wairoa, Thursday. An inquest was held ab Mohaka yesterday* into the circumstances attending bhe death of William Balfour, manager of the Loan and Mercanbile's property in. bhab district), who was found in a wool-shed on<Tuesday, ab midday sbob dead with a double-barrel gun alongside the body. The evidence wenb to show thab the gun might have been exploded by the trigger striking against bhe projecting branches of evergreens with which the shed bad been decorated for a dance some time previously. The muzzle of Jbhe gun was lying away from the body, and the stock towards the head in such a position that it could hardly be possible for the deceased to have pulled the trigger with his hand. The top of his head waa blown completely off, and a portion of the" skull and brains were scattered in various directions. Witnesses deposed that there was nothing in the deceased's manner to convey the impression thab he meditated suicide. The jury returned a verdicb. thab deceased was killed by a gunshot wound in the head, bub there was no evidence to show how he came by ib. The remains will be brought from Mohaka this afternoon, and inberred in bhe Wairoa Cemetery.