PURE ACCIDENT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 109, 4 November 1926, Page 5

PURE ACCIDENT

DEATH OF TERRITORIAL

FATALLY SHOT ON EIPLE EANGE,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

MASTEETON, 3rd November. , The inquest concerning th 6 death Of Private Athol H. B. Morris, of Greytown, at the Te Ore Ore rifle range on Friday, was concluded to-night, when a verdict was returned that deceased met his death by wounds from a rifle shot accidentally fired by Squadron SergeantvMajor Sage. ,The Coroner said tjiat though a Military Court had made a thorough inquiry into the case, it was due to the public that the Cqroner's Court should also make a searching inquiry to determine whether there was anything unusual responsible for the accident. He found that every detail in regard to the inspection of arms and check on the distribution of ammunition had been faithfully carried out. The officers were all trainccF men, and with the non-com-missioned officers undej;' them strictly observed the regulations laid down in connection, with rifle meetings. Mr. J. F. Thompson, counsel for the relatives of deceased, stated that his clients, wished Sage to know that they did not consider him in any way responsible for the accident. ' They realised that it was a case of pure misfortune, and any act of omission had occurred long before he touched the rifle. They were grateful to the military authorities for allowing them to be represented at the Court of Inquiry, and especially to Captain Sugden (area officer) for the assistance he had given. The Military Department had endeavoured to keep nothing back, and they were satisfied that the inquiry had been conducted in a proper manner.