SHOT ACCIDENTALLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 7 January 1899, Page 5

SHOT ACCIDENTALLY.

CLEANING A LOADED CARBINE

A promising young volunteer and member of the Ponsonby Navals accidentally shot himself., last evening while cleaning a loaded carbine. ' The victim of the accident was Alfred George Margraves Burnnnd, aged 2:> years, and son of Mr Thomas Buriiand who resides in Cross-street, NeAvton. The deceased did not go out last night owing to the steady rain, and about 9.30 p.m he decided to clean his newly obtained Martini-Enfield carbine, and ' went into his bedroom. About 20 minutes afterwards the father, who was in the sitting room, heard a noise similar to the snapping of a cap, and went to his son's bedroom to asceitain the cause. Upon entering the room .Mr Rurnand had the shock of beholding the son who shortly before had left the room in good health and spirits lying on the floor in a pool of blood. The stock of the carbine was resting on the bed, and the barrel was between deceased's feet. Evidently the unfortunate young man had been engaged cleaning the carbine and accoutrements, for lying about the room were the cloths and other things used, while the sword scabbard was near at hand, and had evidently been polished. Informal ion of the sad occurrence was at once sent to Dr. Coom and the police. The medical gentlemen upon arrival confirmed the fear that life was extinct. An examination showed that death was instantaneous, as tlie bullet had gone through the left eye, then passed through the ceiling into the room above, struck a picture, smashed a vase, and ultimately lodged in the brick work of the chimney. The course of the bullet was traced by Sergeant Walker and Constable Douthett, who were soon in attendance. Only the one cartridge case was found, and it is known that deceased had that one special cartridge for some months, but so far had not tried his new weapon at the range. There seems little doubt that the affair was purely accidental. Deceased must have forgotten that the carbine was loaded, otherwise a man of his experience in weapons would certainly have removed the cartridge before cleaning the weapon. Alost probably the cleaning cloth caught the hammer, and thus discharged the weapon when it was in a line with deceased's face. This lamentable occurrence has resulted in the loss of a promising young volunteer. Burnnnd held several medals for shooting, won the Ponsonby Navals belt on one occasion, and a money prize at the interprovincial colonial championship ride meeting. Sergeant Walker reported the matter to the coroner. Dr. Philson, who commenced the customary inquiry at 2._0 o'clock this afternoon.