TRAGIC MISTAKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 307, 29 December 1931, Page 7

TRAGIC MISTAKE.

BANK OFFICER SHOT-

ENTERING BANK WINDOW.

SLEEPING FRIEND AWAKES.

TWO SHOTS PROVE FATAL.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association;)'

FEUDING, this day.

Bruce McCorkindale, aged 22, an officer of the Bank of New Zealand here, lost his life last night in tragic circumstances, being shot by J. L. Burton, a fellow officer of the bank.

Burton usually slept on the premises, but he had been away for several days, McCorkindale taking his place.. Burton was due back last night, and McCorkindale went to the bank premises to make sure Burton had returned, but could get no response to his knocking.

McCorkindale then tried to enter the bank by a rear window of the sleeping room. Burton was awakened by the opening of the window, and he fired twice.

Constable Johnston, on duty near the bank, rushed over and found that a tragic mistake had been made. McCorkindale died within a few minutes.

> Burton explained that ho had heard no noise until he was roused by the window being opened. He thought it was a burglar, and he fired twice. The tragedy is made worse by the fact that Burton and McCorkindale were close friends. "Fired Without Taking Aim.* Burton said he reached the bank at 10 p.m. and retired to his sleeping room. He did not hear any telephone or other call. Later he was awakened by hearing a person to enter the window. He could just distinguish the outline of a man. He' grabbed the revolver and fired without taking aim. He did not know he had hit the man. He then looked out of the window, expecting to see the man escaping, but saw a policeman coming into the alleyway. The policeman told him he had shot Bruce McCorkindale. It was found that McCorkindale had been shot in the left eye. He died within a few minutes. Constable Johnston says, he left McCorkindale at the back of the alleyway, the latter saying he knew how to' get into the bedroom, through the window. The next thing he heard two shots. He rushed back and found. McCorkindale dying. Sergeant Cahill took charge of the investigation, and informed the parents. A Promising Golfer. The victim wa« a most promising golfer and this season had been promoted from junior to senior rank in the local golf club. He played in the final for the senior championship. His father has been a member of the Borough Council for a number of years. His mother is prominent in social work, and was Dominion secretary of the Women's Division of the Farmers 9 Union.

This morning an inquest was opened before Mr, E. Goodbehere. coroner. Evidence was given "by the father, who last saw his son alive at 9.45 p.m., when he left for the bank to make sure that Burton had returned, or to take his place in' sleeping on the premises. At midnight the police informed him of the tragedy. The inquest w»s adjourned sine die.