THE WAIKAKA FATALITY.

Mataura Ensign, 22 May 1909, Page 3

THE WAIKAKA FATALITY.

INQUEST ON THE VICTIM. "WHAT IS OUT BEYOND." An inquest jvus held yesterday afternoon at Waikaka on the body of A. Turnhull, who had heen missing from his home for some days and whose dead body was discovered on Thursday, the head being shattered by a gunshot wound, before Mr 'David Lamb (acting-coroner) and a jury consisting of Messrs John Jlarr (foreman), \V. Bennetts, T. Woodhousc. A. Cruickshauk. A. O'Kano, ami J. Pacoy. Constable Schrun'er conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Crown. , Charles McLaren Turnhull deposed (hut he last saw ,his brother alive between 7 anil 8 o'clock on Saturday morning, as he was leaving for ,Gore. Deceased was in fairly good health, though quieter than usual. Deceased hud business elsewhere, and when witness found that ho was absent from home .that evening, he concluded that his brother had gone to attend to it, though ,when Sunday passed without any sign of the latter he became anxious, and instituted inquiries to find out the missing man's whereabouts, und informed ;the police. Witness knew his brother had ridden uway, but did not know .if ho had taken a gun, as he had talked of selling it. Witness was with the search party that discovered the body. Deceased had not been sleeping .well of lute and appeared to bo worried, though his financial position .should not have caused this. He had .told witness' wife on several occasions that he felt u sensation aUout the heart.

John Charles Ray, dredgemasfer, said that deceased had worked under him for .three years, during which he had proved himself steady, honorable and conscientious in every respect. Witness ,kne.w he suffered a great deal from insomnia, as he had often said lie had read the whole night through, the last time being a week ,previous to his death. During the last week deceased had been on tho four to twelve shift, and oil Tuesday, Ilth inst., he asked for a day .or so off, from the Thursday, to take his horses down to his farm. At the same time deceased told .witness ho would not bother him again. Witness said he could .have a week off. On Thursday ami Friday, however, deceased worked as ojsual, saying nothing about going, away, lie arranged to be at the (dredge tit 3 p.m. on Saturday, but did not turn up, witness concluding that lie had gone to the farm. During the past few weeks, witness thought deceased seemed .much quieter than usual, and not taking Ijhe same interest in his work. Witness did not seo him alive again, but was present, when the body was found .in the Waikaka reserve. The body was leaning up against, a bank, with a* gunshot wound in tho head. A gun lay besirin ii, at the feet, with a piece of rope attached to the stock of tho gun running round the trigger and fastened to ;':.'• right foot. The left thumb was ais.i

blown 'tway at the first joint. Constable Schruftler 'said he ha i mndu an examination of the body of deceased, and found a, .large wound in the right side of the head, praciicttlly half the. .head being blown off. The first, joint of the left thumb was also blown off. On a note found on the body was written, "I am in a big' hurry to ,see what is out beyond, so farewell all. Everybody about, here has been very kind to me."' The.- verdict was that deceased's death: was caused 'by a. gunshot wound self-inflicted while, temporarily insane.