FATAL JOKING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 237, 4 October 1894, Page 12

FATAL JOKING.

A YOUNG GIRL SHOT DEAD,

Perth, September 25. A shooting fatality occurred on Sunday forenoon in Fitzgerald-street, Perth, at the house of Wm. White, formerly a constable. White resided with his wife and children, and staying with them was Mary Cole, aged 19 years, a niece of Mrs White's, on a visit from home at Buahelton. After breakfast Whito said he would go wallaby shooting, and had slung his gun over hia shoulder and was going out, when Mies Cole aeked if the gun wa3 loaded, and White answered •' No." The girl said, " Then shoot me:" White replied he would, and, pointing the gun, pulled tbe trigger, evidently believing the barrel empty, whereas it was loaded. The result was that Miss (Jole was shot dead, the charge, entering her heart. Astonished and horrified, White protested that he had no idea the gun was loaded. He thought he had withdrawn the charge when heJast brought the gun home, it being his usual practice to see that there waß no cartridge in it before putting it in a corner. When Dr. Hitch, who was sent for, arrived, he found that death had been instautaneous, though the charge had not passed quite through the chest. The police having. been informed, White was removed in cußtody, but was admitted to bail. In the afternoon a jury, having viewed the body, and formal evidence as to indentity having been taken, an order for interment was given, and the inquest was. adjourned till Wednesday.