SHOOTING TRAGEDIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 7

SHOOTING TRAGEDIES

NELSON FARMER SHOT DAUGHTER’S ADMISSION [per press association.] NELSON, June 16. Joseph Caldwell, aged 40, of Kiwi, met his death this morning just before 9 o’clock, under tragic circumstances, being shot with a ."O.’l rifle, by his 15-year-old daughter.

Caldwell was a returned soldier, having served with the A.I.F. He suffered from the effects of,gas while at the war, and at times he buffered lapses and depression. It is being alleged by residents of the district that he frequently became rather violent. This morning, it is alleged, he was attacking his wife, when his daughter became alarmed, and putting a cartridge in a .303 rifle she fired it off. It is thought she did so to frighten her father, but tile bullet entered Caldwell’s neck, killing him instantaneously. Mr Winter, who was staying at Kiwi with Mr It. Ricketts, the nearest neighbour of the Caldwell’s. heard the shot and also a scream, and he went across the paddocks to investigate. The deceased’s daughter ran down to the railway line, which runs just behind Caldwell's house, and she informed the linesmen, who were passing on a trolley, that she had shot her father.

The police at. Nelson were informed. Inspector F. Lewin, accompanied by Sergeant W. H. Siinister, and Constable Houston, of Wakefield, proceeded to Kiwi to make investigations. Kiwi is about 45 miles from Nelson.

QUARREL OVER SHEEP. NELSON, June 17. The quarrel in the Caldwell family arose over the removal of some sheep from one part of the farm to another. Deceased commenced to ill-treat his wife, in the kitchen. She called to her daughter for help. Such quarrels were frequent, as the result of Caldwell’s bad temper. Deceased frequently used his rifle on the farm, and this was always left in the house. The daughter said that she had intended to frighten her father. Her condition was such that she did not remember whether she put a cartridge in the rifle, or whether it was already loaded. No arrest has been made, and the police stated to-day that a charge would be preferred in due course. The inquest will be opened to-mor-row. and then adjourned to next week. N. AUCKLAND MURDER MAORI COUNCIL INQUIRY WHANGAREI, June 16. An interesting development in the investigation of the murder of Nelson is that the police have enlisted the aid of the Hokianga Maori Council in prosecuting the inquiry. A special committee has been set up, and is conducting an inquiry into Nelson’s death. Mr. Fred Heperi, who is also Chairman of the Hokianga Maori Council, is presiding over the enquiry, which is being held at the residence of his father. Mr. J. Heperi. who is one of

he leaders of the Mormon Church n New Zealand. The house is some hree or four miles north of Nelson's

property, on the main road. It is stated by Mr. J. Ileperi that, last night, the police asked (he Council to conduct an inquiry. This Council has special powers conferred upon

it under an Act of Parliament, and it is at liberty to question witnesses. All of the well-known natives in the district. and all of the Maoris who, it is

thought, can supply information, and who have already been questioned by the police are being further interrogated in their own language. The evidence is being taken down by Fred Heperi. It is expected that the Council proceedings will conclude this evening, when the information obtained will be handed to the p'olice. The investigation of the murder has now extended as far as Taheke, while the Maori settlement at Rangiahua continues to be the centre of police activity. Natives who have long led a placid, undisturbed life, are feeling a little uneasiness in being brought into the maelstrom of a man hunt, and some of them have even vacated their premises to take up temporary abodes where the numbers are greater.

Many of the natives who have been called upon for statements and for further statements have never faced a typewriter before, and they are inclined to let. their sense of the dramatic paint pictures of the imagination. There have been instances of fresh matter being introduced in second interrogations, contradictions, and interpolations; these leading the police to waste valuable time in pursuing scents which prove to be false.

Yesterday the stock was mustered on Nelson’s property, for the purposes of valuation.