PLAYING WITH FIRE ARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 80, 2 April 1908, Page 4

PLAYING WITH FIRE ARMS.

BOY SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD. A loaded shot gun left in an outhouse,, and its discovery and handling by some of the boys ox the Kemuera Children's Home, were the factors in a sad fatality which occurred yesterday afternoon, the victim being Thomas Humphries, a 15----year-old inmate of the home. It appears that, in response to an invitation, four of the boys were sent by the matron to procure some quinces from a neighbour's orchard. The party included Humphries and a 12-year-old companion named Gentils. TSe fruit having been picked, the boys wandered through the grounds, and while doing socanie upon an outfiouse. While going through the shed they noticed a double-barrelled gun, and the temptation to handle it was too great for them. Tnq gun h ad been used by the owner for the purpose of shooting small birds,- and, according to one version of the affair, was left loaded, capped, and cocked in a buet™ in the shed. On the other hand, it is stated that the gun was found leanin« un against the wall, and that, after havimr handled it, Gentil put it down. The weapon is said to have fallen over and one barrel exploding, the-charge, struck Humphries in the side of the head killing him instantly. The statements are conflicting, another account being that Gentils -was handling the gun whel it went off. Medical assistance was summoned, bufi the unfortunate boy was dead, and his body was brought on to the Home by; Sergeant Griffiths. Humphries' fatheii lives in the King Country, and .the deceased boy was one of the brightest ani most popular inmates of the institution. An inquest was being the Home by the coroner (Sir. -Ti GreaEamV-tW afternoon. . ■•■--•-■