FARM HAND FOUND DEAD

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22271, 9 December 1937, Page 18

FARM HAND FOUND DEAD

TRAGEDY NEAR AUCKLAND 'VMM3B ASSOCIATION TXLEGBAit.) AUCKLAND. December 8. John Ernest Bedford, a farm-hand, aged 16i, was found dead on the floor of the separator room at the farm of his employer, Mr G. C. W. Howie, of Karaka, near Papakura, about 6 o’clock last evening; There was a bullet wound over the heart, and a rifle beside the body. Mr Howie made the discovery on his return from Auckland with his wife. Noticing that no work had been done, he looked for Bedford, and on entering the separator room found him lying on his back, with the rifle within reach. He notified the Pukckohe police, who, with a doctor, went to the faim..

Chief-Detective Hall and three detectives arrived at the farm about 11 o’clock and returned to Auckland this morning. The body was brought to the Auckland morgue, where a post-mortem examination was held. The police stated that from the surrounding circumstances, it seemed that there' was nothing to suggest that Bedford met with foul play. He was m the habit of borrowing his employer’s pea rifle and going out shooting. He had been employed on the farm for two years, and was well liked in the district. An inquest was opened this morning and adjourned. ■