SHOOTING VICTIMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20649, 27 December 1941, Page 7

SHOOTING VICTIMS

KOITERANGI TRAGEDY KILLING OF GRAHAM POLICE COMMENDED j (Per Press Association.) HOKITIKA, this day. The coroner, Mr. A E. Benjamin,, gave the following verdicts at the Koiterangi tragedy inquests this morning: "That Sergeant William Cooper and Constables Frederick William Jordan, and Percy Campbell Tulloch died at Koiterangi on October 8. that Richard John Maxton Coulson died at Koiterangi on October 9, that Gregory George Thomas Hutchison died at the Westland Hospital on October 10, that Constable Edward Mark Best died at the Westland Hospital on October 11, all from gunshots fired by Eric Stanley Graham with intent to kill. The first three were killed outright on October 8. .Mr. Coulson on October 9, Mr. Hutchison was injured on October 0 and Constable Best was injured on October 8, that Eric Stanley Graham died at the Westland Hospital on October 21, 1941, from a gunshot fired by Constable Quirke of the New Zealand police force on October 20, 1941 at Koiterangi, in the execution of his duty and that he is to be commended for the efficient mannein which he carried out his orders.'

The coroner expressed horror am-i-egret at the occurrence that hac cost the lives of six splendid mer and expressed the sympathy of the community and complimented Constable Quirke on carrying out hi; ordered duty in the prompt and successful manner in which he removec a great danger before there was an} loss ' of life. The ’-elief given the whole community was such that i showed how a grave danger hac been averted by his action. There Was nothing in the action of the deceased police officers to warrant the action taken by Graham to whom they went in a peaceful manner -tc carry out their duty without suspicion that such a violent action would follow.

The following rider was returned “The coroner is of the opinion tha the question of the prevention o further tragedies of a similar nature to the present one should receive the early attention of the authorities and would suggest that provision be made so that a person threatening the lives of others could immediately be detained in an institution unti such time as he is sane to be at large. The law at present appears tc be insufficient to ensure the safely of life.”