PEA RIFLE TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 1, 1 January 1921, Page 4

PEA RIFLE TRAGEDY.

FORGOT IT WAS LOADED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. At the inquest into the death of Tim Ballantyne, a fourteen-year-old boy, who died from the effects of a pea rifle bullet while returning from rabbit shooting with his cousin, Trevor Clarkson, evidence as to the shooting was given by Clarkson. He said that he and his cousin Ballantyne were skylarking, and the weapon discharged. He had fired the rille" off just before the accident, and must have forgotten having reloaded it. The medical evidence was to the effect that the 'bullet penetrated the liver. An operation was performed and the patient rallied some hours afterwards, hut never fully recovered from tho shock. The cause of death was shock from the wound, the Tength of the journey to town 'and the operation.

A verdict was returned accordingly, the Coroner (Mr. S. E. McCarthy) adding: "I would direct attention to the frequency of accidents arising from carelessness in the -use of firearms. No one should be entrusted with firearms unless be or she is well acquainted with the attendant dangers."