INQUEST AT PUKEKOHE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 165, 12 July 1907, Page 5

INQUEST AT PUKEKOHE.

An inquest was held yesterday at Mr. Easton'3 farm, Pukekohe East, by Mr. R. F. Webster, J.P., on the body of William Gillan Begbie, who was found dead in Mr. Easton's bush. The young man had been missing since Sunday afternoon. He left his father's residence about three o'clock, and his employer, Mr. Allan, the manager of Yates' seed farm, on his continued absence from work, inquired from his father as to the cause of his non-appearance. This first gave the idea that something might be wrong, and the matter was reported to the police yesterday morning. Mr. Allan, assisted by Mr. Hamilton, a farmer residing at Buckland, made a search, and the body was found in the middle of the bush, shot through the heart, with a small revolver by its side. Tie face was much disfigured by rats or other vermin. No evidence was presented showing any cause for tlie rash act. The last person who saw deceased alive was his sister, Lily Begbie. She spoke to him at her father's gate, and he bade her " Good-bye," on his way, as she thought, to return to his work. After hearing the evidence of Dr. Reekie. Mr. T. X.. Hamilton, Miss A. L. Begbie, and Constable McGovera, the jury brought in the following verdict: " The deceased, William Gillan Begbie, died , through his own. act by firing a revolver bullet into his body. The jury also desire to express their deepest sympathy with the parents and relatives of deceased." Mr. Ebenezer Allan was chosen as foreman of the jury.