SHOT FOR SAFETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 13

SHOT FOR SAFETY.

INCIDENT AT SAMOA,

SEAMAN'S WIDOW'S PETITION.

By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.; WELLINGTON, this day.

A request for adequate compensation in respect of the death of her husband, Win. F. Gillies, formerly an A.B. on H.M.s. Dunedin, is made in a petition by Gladys B. M. Gillies, of Mount Eden. Her husband, while the warship was at Samoa in March, 1928, became affected by sunstroke, and gained access to the armoury of the ship, which petitioner states was unguarded. He obtained a loaded rifle and commenced to fire it. The authorities considered him dangerous, and that his actions might result in loss of life. "Instructions were issued to secure Gillies, and one of the crew fired a shot with the intention of maiming him. The bullet passed through deceased's groin, and he died from loss of blood, despite the fact that medical attention was immediately forthcoming. He was buried at Samoa."

Petitioner, who has heen paid deceased's deferred pay, has received no other assistance from the Naval Department, which disclaims liability, and ehe states she is now destitute.