THE FORT BALLANCE FATALITY

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8111, 4 November 1904, Page 3

THE FORT BALLANCE FATALITY

CORONER'B INQUEST. (FAKSM ASaOOIATIOK.I

WELLINGTON, November 3. A coroner's enquiry was opened to-day concerning the death of Gunner palmer, the victim of yesterday's explosion at Fort Ballance. Captain Hume, commandant of Artillery, said that the gun had been in use a little over three years. About twenty rounds had been fired at the time of the accident. Witness shitted his position before, the firing started to a position away from the direct rear of the gun, because he did not like standing immediately behind guns while they were fired. \ Dr Mason deposed that the deceased's right arm was practically, blown right off. There was a wound in his side, and probably his lungs were ruptured. The Inquest was adjourned until to-mor-row, when some of the men in the hospital may be able to give evidence. The men are doing well, though Bombadier Peterson's condition is still serious.