SHOOTING FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 115, 14 May 1920, Page 4

SHOOTING FATALITY.

RETURNED SOI.DTER- DEATH. SHOOTIN_ GALLERY SENSATION. The inquest concerning the death of Colonel Whitmore, of Hastings, through snooting himself in the abdomen, w_ held this morning, before the Coroner Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M. Constable Alfred Hall, in identifying the body, said that deceased was known to him as Colonel Whitmore, and that be was a returned soldier. Deceased called at the office of witness at the end of last April for a permit to leave the Dominion for Canada, stating that he wished to*go farming in that country. He had a conversation at the time with the deceased, and learned that Whitmore could not get on very well with his family. He cried when he informed witness that be bad "pakeha" blood in his veins. Last time witness saw the deceased was on Tuesday last, when he appeared to be all right George Frederick Billing, attendant at Hazard's rifle range, stated that on Wednesday afternoon the deceased came into the shop alone and asked witness for six shots on the pistol- Witness took down a eelf-loading Colt, and, as it was never kept loaded, put six shots into the chambers. While be was loading the pistol deceased put a pound note on the counter. Witness handed the pistol over, at the same time remarking that it was loaded. Witness then picked up his margin-book and reached across the counter. On turning round deceased's back was turned to witness. The next moment witness heard a report, and deceased fell without a word. Prior to this witness had noticed nothing in the demeanour of the deceased to lead him to think he would shoot himself, and he was afeo sober. In the opinion of wit--ness Whitmore might either have bumped his arm against the partition of one of the targets or have caught his elbow on the edge of the target counter. and thus bring the muzzle round so as to point at his body. Walter Taplin, shop assistant, gave evidence that he noticed deceeased pass through tbe shop. There was nothing to comment upon in the deceased's manner. Witness next heard the report." and, seeing Whitmore fall, went to the spot. He spoke to the deceased, but . got no reply, upon Which an ambulance was sent for.

On being summoned to the shop, Police-Sergeant O'Brien asked deceaeed how the affair happened, and whether Itwas an accident. Deceased- moaned "Yes," and «aid no more _>ntil he was being conveyed to tbe hospital, when he said that the wound was stinging. Having heard medical evidence, the Coroner returned a verdict of death folr lowing upon the deceased accidentaDy shooting bimself in the abdomen.