DEATH OF BARMAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 2, 2 December 1931, Page 10

DEATH OF BARMAN.

INQUEST ADJOURNED. Per Press Association. TIMARU, Nov. 30. After further police investigations into the Mount Cook Hermitage tragedy on the evening of November 6, when William Edward Wogan, bar-man-porter, was found dead in his bedroom with a .22 calibre rifle bullet in his head, the inquest was resumed to-day. The Coroner, Mr C. R. UrrWalker, presided. Inspector Bird conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police. Ambiose Z. Hill, a gunsmith with 50 years’ experience, gave evidence as to having made tests with the rifle. Witness stated that lie tested the rifle, firing at targets at distances of bin., 18in., and 2tt. The shortest distance showed a fairly big blotch of powder, but at two feet distant there was no powder mark. Witness demonstrated that it was possible to hold the weapon at right angles to the side ol tho heart, and pull the trigger, this being possible on account of the shortness of the barrel. He considered it would be impossible to hold the rifle to shoot oneself with the barrel 12in. away from the head. The farthest one could hold the rifle at right angles was six inches. Inspector Bird: Is it impossible No. Witness added that he could not see how the rifle could have been fired in the position it was found after tire tragedy, as there was nothing to obstruct the trigger. Evidence was given by Charles Digby Elms, manager, of The Hermitage, as to examining the body of deceased. He said that the wound was clean and there was no sign of singeing or burning. He had never previously heard of Wogan going shooting, and although he had taken greyhounds out he had never asked for a gun. Witness said that Wlialley, who was in the room with deceased when the shot was fired, and Wogan saw one another frequently, but he did not know anything of their relationship. Reginald Digbv Elms, a motor-bus driver employed by the Mount Cook Company, said that a few days before Labour Day, while he was crossing the kitchen, Wlialley remarked that “If Bill (meaning deceased) asks you if I gave you any money to take down, say ‘Yes.’'” At that" time Wlialley had not given witness anj* money. Previously he had taken money down for Whalley. Later deceased told witness that he had given Whalley £lO to put on a horse, and. if it did not start the money was to be put on another horse, which won . and paid so much. Bill said he was going to try and get his money from Whalley. Whalley, who gave evidence at the earlier hearing, was recalled. He denied having made a remark to Elms not to say to deceased that he had not given Elins money. He admitted having taken some bets from deceased to send to Timaru. He also denied having handled the gun after the shot had been fired.

After hearing further evidence, the Coroner said that the evidence so far did not disclose that it was a case of suicide. “Also,” lie said, “there is no evidence to justify me finding at present that deceased was accidentally shot. I don’t feel justified in. closing the inquest under the circumstances.”

The inquest was adjourned until Thursday.