DEATH OF FARMER AT ASHLEY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 16

DEATH OF FARMER AT ASHLEY

♦ SHOTGUN FOUND NEAR BODY William Macßae, a farmer, aged 49, was found dead on his farm at Ashley early yesterday morning, with a gunshot wound in the head. There was a shotgun alongside the body. He was a married man with five children. Macßae left the house about 6 a.m. to bring in the cows. When Mrs McRae went out about an hour later to assist with the milking, the barking of a dog attracted her to a paddock some distance from the house, where she found her husband. Life was extinct. A returned soldier. Mcßae had been in indifferent health for some time. Inquest Opened An inquest conducted by Sergeant O. P. McEntee was held at Rangiora last evening before the District Coroner (Mr H. A. Young). After he had heard three witnesses, the Coroner adjourned the inquest until February 16, when medical evidence will be taken. Robert Peach gave evidence of identification, and of the finding of the gun resting on the ground between Macßae’s legs. Mrs Alice Jessie Macßae said that her husband had complained of not feeling well about midnight on Thursday. He was in bad health, as a result of war injuries, and had been worried about the farm. He had attempted suicide about eight years ago, and had been a voluntary patient in the mental hospital for three months afterwards. Sergeant McEntee said Macßae had apparently placed the muzzle of the gun inside his mouth. His skull was shattered. There was a spent cartridge in each of the two barrels of the gun.