GUNSHOT KILLS CHILD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1922, Page 7

GUNSHOT KILLS CHILD.

AX EXTRAORDINARY STORYA few days ago we published a cabled report of a young man turning upon a child who had entreated him to shoot her instead of the chickens, and putting a shot in her. Here, from the "Argus" (Melbourne), June 16, is the story told at the inquest: — On June 7, at Queenstown, Rose Lilian Wood, known ac Newing, aged four years, was shot dead while in a ! neighbour's house, and yesterday the ■coroner (Dr. Ole) held an inquest. Albert Thomas Otto Miller, aged seven- j , teen years, in whose interests Mr. He-wi-ison appeared, was present, and Dr. Cole found him guilty of manslaughter, and committed him for trial at the Court of General Sessions. Bail was allowed in a surety of £250. Caroline Wood, widow, of Queenstown, said that Newing was her gTandchild, born out of wedlock, and had lived with her for twelve months. She knew Albert Thomas Otto Miller, who was a neighbour. His mother (Mrs. Anderson) and witness were on friendly terms. Between 10 and half-past ten o'clock on the morning of June 7 she took the child to the Andersons' house, while she brought her cows home. When witness returned to take the child back she was lying on a sofa in Anderson's kitchen dead. "Albert" (Miller), Mrs. Wood continued, "could not speak. He was broken-hearted. | Ruby Irene Miller, aged ten years, j said that she saw the fatal shot fired. Miller took his gun from its nail on the wall and eaid: "I shall have to shoot some of those chickens." The child then said: "Sboot mc, Albic." "Then," said witness, "Miller swung round, there -was a crashing report, and the child Newing fell to the floor shot." Clifford Dunk, mounted constable, stationed at Hurstbridge, told the coroner that he went to the Andersons' home, where Mrs. Wood told him that Newing had been shot by Milter. He questioned Miller, who made the following statement:— "I took the gun from the wall to frighten the chickens. I did not put a cartridge in the gun, as I intended to frighten the chickens by clicking the trigger. The cartridge must have been I left in from the last time I used it. The girl spoke to mc, and I swung round. We were all on the best of terms." Witness added that the gun was later produced from below the house. Florence Anderson said that she had thrown it there after the shooting. Constable Baker said that he had examined the gun, which had an exceptionally "light" trigger. It was a "einglecock" gun, and had no safety-catch, andwould have to be fully cocked before it would discharge. Mr. Hewison, addressing the coroner, said that the evidence pointed to misad venture. The Coroner: And gross carelessness. Mr. Hewison: In the aspect that the gun was loaded it does, but there seems to have been no intent to shoot. The hiding of fche gun was done by the sister. Had it been done by Miller it would have been suspicious. Miller did not know the gun was loaded. The CoToner: The sister's hiding it is suspicious, and we have heard the same excuse before. How can you frighten chickens by clicking the trigger at them? To mc it looks very much like murder. It is either manslaughter or murder. If I could find a real motive. I should commit MHIot for murder. There is no doubt that he shot the girl. I do not care what juries or others say. it is not excusable homicide. He will be committal for trial for manslaughter, which can be either a finable offence or can be punished by imurisonment for fourteen years. It can then be changed to murder if necessary.