FARMER FATALLY SHOT IN BACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1936, Page 8

FARMER FATALLY SHOT IN BACK.

BODY NEAR HOUSE. NORTH AUCKLAND MYSTERY. NO SIGN OF "WEAPON. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WHANGAREI, this day. A shot fired in the dark last evening killed a well-known North Auckland farmer who was found dead with a gaping wound in his. back. There was no sign of the gun. The victim of the shooting was:— Mr. Ernest Severin Nelson, aged 55, of Waihau Valley. Apparently Mr. Nelson was shot at close range. His body was found about 100 yards along the drive leading to his house by his mother-in-law, Mrs. F. Smith, of Kangiahua, who was on her way to visit her daughter. The body was facing the fence and there was a, gunshot wound in the back on the left side. No gun was found beside the body, and a careful search of the locality failed to reveal any weapon. People living in the neighbourhood heard the fatal ehot fired at 7.20, but apparently there were no eye-witnesses of the tragedy other than the person who fired the gun. Mr. Nelson was in the habit of going out to the gate to collect his mail each night, and when he was found dead he was holding letters which he ' had collected. Police Search For Clues. Constable Robertson, of Kaikohe, was informed of the tragedy about 10.30 last night, and immediately left for Waihou Valley. Inspector O'Hara and SeniorSergeant Finch left Whangarci by car before midnight to take charge of the police party, which includes Constable Ryan, of Ohaeawai. Up to the time of going to press no arrest had been made. The police are making a thorough search for clues, and are executing inquiries in the vicinity of the house and throughout the valley. The inquest was opened before Mr. T. J. V. Dunlop, district coroner, of Kawakawa, this morning. William Siegfried Nelson, of Pafcaraka, identified the body as that of his brother. He said he had last seen his brother about April 20. He was then in good health, and good spirits. His brother had married a half-caste Maori girl named Smith last February.l There had been disapproval of the marriage in certain quarters. His brother's wife had left the house on one occasion owing to the fact that there was insufficient room for her own family, and a family of share-milkers who were working on the farm. She had, however, returned later. The coroner adjourned . the inquest sine die. Dr. H. F. Buckley, of Whangarei, and Dr. G. Mac Lean, of Kaikohe, conducted the post-mortem examination. Successful Farmer. The lateSMr.. Nelson • was •■■, corn:- in : Sweden 55 years ago, and came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of three. In 1912 he came North and took up land in Waihou Valley. After a number of years he disposed of hi> farm, but took it up again in 1932. Mr. Nelson was a very successful farmer, and at the time of his death was one of the largest suppliers to the Bay of Islands Dairy Factory.

He married late' in -life, and is survived by his young \vidow. There is no family.: Mr. W. S. Nolson; of Pakaraka, is a brother, while two other brothers are farming in,the Hawkij's Bay district. The deatl man was a large employer of lftbour, and- in addition- to a family of share milkers he- had-several natives working for him. In many ways he was regarded as a benefactor to the Maori population of the neighbourhood. . For many years Mr. Nelson suffered from acute deafness, and it was necessary to shout when conversing with him. So far as hia brothers know, he never kept a firearm in the house. The house, a six-roomed dwelling of fairly modern appearance, is situated about one-third of a mile from the main road running through the Waihou Valley, and is about three miles from Okaihau. The surroundings are well kept, and the lawns, pasture and stock all suggest careful attention. The metalled drive on which the body was found is boarded by steel tubed fencing, and runs through open country, except where a small stream has to be forded near the residence. There is no shelter in the vicinity except a,rank growth of paspalum fringing the fence line.