DEATH OF MR CHAPMAN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8483, 15 May 1893, Page 3

DEATH OF MR CHAPMAN.

It is with the deepest regret that wa save to record the death of Mr Edward Chapman, of Springbank, from the gunshot wou_d which he received recently while •atUe hunting behind Mount White Station. Mr Chapman was one of a party, among whom were Messrs C. DampierOpossJey, G. D. Greenwood, M. Lewin, R. Parsons, and others, who started on Saturday week for Esk Head. Loohiuvar and Mount White on a wild cattle shooting trip. The expedition has been an annual affair, and good sport baa been obtained in tbe past in ridding the runs Of the cattle which have some times attacked the shepherds. The party reached Anderson's hat, some twenty miles or more from Mount White, on Monday afternoon. About 5 o'clock a mob of cattle was being driven down a valley; the shooting party Was divided—some on one side of the valley and some on the high rocks and cover of the other side. One of the bullets must either nave glanced, or Mr Chapman was not sufficiently in cover, for immediately after the discharge of the firearms he cried out that oe was shot. Mr Dampier-Crossley called cut to the rest of the party, but could not at once make them hear. When, however, they understood what had happened, they hastened to Mr Chapman and found that he had been shot in the thigh. At first it was thought that the injury was not a Very serious one, though he was unable to walk. He was carried to the hut, which Was about 200 yards away, and as well as circumstances permitted bandaged the leg. One of the party, Mr Greenwood, set out to fetch Dr. Volckman, of Rangiora, who, with Mrs Chapman, at- once started for the scene of the accident, via the Cass, reaching the hut on Thursday morning. During -li the time Mr Chapman had been in excellent spirits, and all believed that he was doing well, but on examining the Wound Dr. Volckman found it was of a ■erious nature. Another messenger was sent for a second doctor and requisites. This step, it seems, had been anticipated by Mr Chapman's many friends in Rangiora, * and Mr W. J. Hussey on Friday started from that town to enquire as to his condition, being accompanied by Dr. Volckman, of Oxford, wuo took a supply of articles which it was thought would be required. In the meantime, however, Mr Chapman gradually became worse, and mortification set in. Early on Friday morning the news was broken to him that there was no hope of his recovery, and he passed quietly away at twenty minutes past eleven. Mr Chapman had expressed anxiety to see his wife, who, as it had not been thought that there was any immediate aiaogar, was at Mount White station, and she was sent for. The track Between the two places is, however,

very rough, and only available for riding, and she had only got half way to the hut when she was met by the sad" news of her husband's death, and returned to the station. Mr Hussey and Dr. Volckmann, of Oxford, on the way up from Rangiora, reached the Cass about 8 a.m. on Saturday, only to receive the mournful intelligence that they were no longer of service. Dr. H. Comptou Parsons, who drove from Kaiapoi to the Waikari, went on from thence in the hope of being of use, but he also had to return, and on Saturday morning Mr Walter Chapman and Mr C. Newton also started for the Cass in the hope of giving aid. By two o'clock on Friday afternoon the party at the hut had prepared a stretcher, on which the body of their late compauion was placed, and with the assistance of some station hands they commenced the sad journey to Mount White, over some of the roughest country in the province. They stayed at the second hut for six hours that night, started again at daylight, and reached the station ou Saturday evening. Mr Edward C!ja;imiu, of Moeraki, was the third son of the late Mr Robert Chapman, and his age would be about thitty-nine. The other brothers are Messrs T. Chapman, Mount Palm; R. Chapman, Lowlaudlucs ; W. Chapmau, The Ranch, West Eyreton ; and A. T. Chapman, Northwood. Mr Edward Chapman received his first education under the late Mr Charles Merton, at Milford, Runziora, and finished bis education atChriat'sCoilegc.Chrißtchurch. His manliness and opwi fi-ukness gained for him a large measure of respect and esteem. For some years he had been the leadiug spirit in the North Canterbury contingent of the" Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, i n which troop He obtained a lieutenant's commission dating from July, 1883. Ho was one of the local Magistrates, and au active worker in most local matters tending to the advancement of his district and the colony. As a breeder of merino and Lincoln sheep, and being also fond of good torses, he took a lively interest iv the Northern Agricultural aud Pastoral Association. Of this Society he was VicePresident in 1889, and President for two years, having been distinguished by reelection for a second term of office. Mr Chapman took a lead in forwarding the improvements which were made in the management of the Association, as well as in the acquirement of the show grounds, to which he and members of bis family largely contributed in making the permanent improvements. For some time ho was an active member and Chairman of the Cust Road Board and of the Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board and a Justice of the Peace. He was a warm supporter of hunting, a trustee of the Brackenfield Hunt Club, at one time President of the North .Canterbury Jockey Club, and some years ago he was a member of the Canterbury representative football team. In 1889 the Easter camp of the volunteers was held on a portion of the estate, and nil who took part in the camp will remember the princely hospitality dispensed by Mr Chapman. The deceased gentlemau married Miss Gray, of Otahuhu, Auckland, and leaves three children, for all of whom and for his relatives the deepest sympathy is felt. At the inquest held subsequently, the following verdict was returned:— " The jury are of opinion that the late Mr Edward Chapman met his death by mortification caused by a bullet wound, which the jury are of opinion, according to the evidence, was caused by the bullet glancing off the shoulder of a bulL The jury are further of opinion that no blame attaches to any of the shooting party." The funeral of the deceased Gentleman took place at Rangiora on Tuesday, April 25th, and was attended by a large coucourse of people, embracing all classes of the community.