MYSTERIOUS SHOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 285, 2 December 1931, Page 3

MYSTERIOUS SHOT.

DEATH OF BARMAN-PORTER

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

TIMARU, Friday,

After further police investigations into the Mount Cook Hermitage tragedy on the evening' of November 5, when William Edward Wogan, barman-porter, was found dead in his bedroom with a .22 calibre rifle bullet in his head, the inquest was resumed yesterday. The coroner, Mr. C. R. Orr-Walker, presided. Inspector Bird conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Ambrose Z. Hill, a gunsmith with 50 years' experience, stated that he tested the rifle, firing at targets at distances of Gin, 12in, ISin and 2ft. The shortest distance showed a fairly big blotch of powder, but at 2ft there was no powder mark. Witness demonstrated that it was possible to hold the weapon at right angles to the side of the heart and pull the trigger, this being possible on account of the shortness of the.barrel. He considered that it would be impossible to hold the rifle so as to shoot oneself with the barrel 12in away from the head. The farthest one could, hold the rifle at right angles was Gin. Evidence was given by Charles Digby Elms, manager of The Hermitage, as to examining the body of the deceased. He said that the wound was clean and there was no sign of singeing or burning. He had never previously heard of Wogan going shooting, and although Wogan had taken greyhounds out he had never asked for a gun. Witness said that Whalley, who was in the room with the deceased when the shot was fired, and Wogan saw one another frequently, but he did not know anything of their relationship. Reginald Digby Elms, a motor bus driver employed by the Mount Cook Company, said that a few days before Labour Day, while he was crossing the kitchen, Whalley remarked that "If Bill (meaning the deceased) asks you if I gave you any money to tafce down, say 'Yes.'" At that time Whalley had not given witness any money. Previously he had taken money down for Whalley. ! Later the deceased told witness that he had given Whalley £10 to put on a horse, and that if it did not start the money was to be put on another horse, which won and paid so much. Bill said he was going to try and get his money from Whalley. Whalley, who gave evidence at the earlier hearing, was recalled. He denied having made a remark to Elms not to say to the deceased x hat he had not given Elms money. He admitted having taken some bets from the deceased to send to Timaru. He denied having handled the gun after the shot had been fired.

After hearing further evidence the coroner said that the evidence so far did not disclose that it was a case of suicide. "Also," he said, "there is no evidence to justify me finding at present that the deceased was accidentally shot. I don't feel justified in closing the inquest under the circumstances." The inquest was adjourned until Thursday.