FOUND SHOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1934, Page 9

FOUND SHOT.

HOUSE IN FLAMES.

LETTER LEFT FOR CORONER:

SUICIDE AT PUKEKOHE. (Bj- Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE, this day. An inquest concerning the death of Ernst Werner, aged 42, of Pukekohe Hill, who was found dead with a gunshot wound in his chest in front of a gate leading to Mr. A. Middleton's house on Pukekohe Hill, was held to-day before the district corner, Mr. C. K. Lawrie.

Constable W. Mawhinney stated that early on the morning of January 25, in company with Sergeant J. T. Cowan, he went to Mr. Middleton's farm, where he found Werner lying on his back at full length just outside the gate, with a gunshot wound in the left side of his chest. The body was still warm and there were powder marks on the wound, which was about lin in diameter. A singlebarrelled shotgun was attached to the gate in such a manner that a person standing at the muzzle end could pull the barrel and fire the gun. Deceased had a full cartridge clenched in his right hand. The clay surface of the road outside the gate was wet from overnight rain and there was only one set of footprints leading down the road to the gate. The prints went as far as the gate and then stopped. There were no return footprints, and none inside the gate.

Alexander Stephen Middleton, who found the body, stated he saw deceased almost every day. He appeared a "bit queer," keeping very much to himself and sometimes not answering when spoken to. Dr. A. T. Begg said he examined the body of deceased and found that the cause of death was a gunshot wound in the chest. Death was practically instantaneous. The wound was such as could be caused by a man committing suicide. A Maori, Pehitu Terai, stated he noticed from his whare about 4 a.m. on January 25 that Werner's house was on fire. Flames were then issuing from the windows. Witness said he was not on too friendly terms with deceased, so he went back to bed. Deceased had always appeared a "bit queer," seldom speaking and keeping very much to himself.

Sergeant J. T. Cowan stated that deceased had been a farm labourer in the district for about nine years. He was a native of Switzerland, having been born in Degersheim Toggenburg. As far as was known deceased was a single man. Evidence was given that a very disconnected letter, showing the suicidal tendencies of deceased, had been left addressed to the coroner. There were no suspicions of any other person having caused his death. The coroner returned a verdict that death was due to a gunshot wound, selfinflicted.