SHOOTING TRAGEDY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 176, 25 June 1935, Page 8

SHOOTING TRAGEDY

.VICTIM’S CONDITION GRAVE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 24. The condition of Air Peter Hobson, senr., who was shot yesterday by his son, who subsequently shot himself dead, was reported at 1 o’clock to-day as extremely grave. No light has been cast on the affair which would show the youth’s motive, but comment is made on his determination. His first shot fired at the moving van missed his father by six inches; his second, fired from 64 yards, struck his father between the eyes.

OPENING OF INQUEST.

TAVO AVITNESSES HEARD

AIOTHER AND FARM BOY

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, June 24. An inquest concerning the death of Peter Hobson, aged 18, who took his own life after firing a rifle twice at his father, and gravely wounding him at East Tamaki, was opened today before the Coroner, Air E, F. Levien, S.AI., at Otahuhu. Airs Hobson said that deceased had been employed by an electrician in Auckland and terminated his employment last Thursday. After evidence of identification the Coroner asked witness if she desired to make any further statement. Airs Hobson: Only it preyed on “Sonny’s” mind my losing my divorce case against my husband. The Coroner: What was the position ? Airs Hobson: I recently tried to get a divorce from the boy’s father. The boy wanted to give evidence for me and it worried him that he was not permitted to give evidence. Otherwise he was perfectly healthy and happy. William Alullins said he was employed by deceased’s father and resided on'the farm. He knew deceased well, and he was commonly known as “Sonny.” “I last saw deceased alive shortly after IL3O a.m. on Sunday,” said witness. “Nor some years I resided as a neighbour of my employer, Hobson. His wife and two children then resided with him. I knew the family very well. Of the two children Peter was the elder, and the other, Derrick, was about eight years of age. I was engaged by Hobson about two and a-halr months ago. His wife and family had then left the farm and were living in Auckland. Aly brother Clifford also worked on the farm, and we and Hobson bached at the farmhouse. About a month ago, in the course of conversation with my employer, he instructed me that should his wife or children visit the farm 1 was not to allow them to enter the house in his absence. I gathered from his conversation that lie considered his wife had treated him unfairly.”

Witness said his employer left the farm as usual on Sunday morning in his truck for the city at about 3.30 a.m. After finishing his milking duties witness returned to bed in a front room of the farmhouse, which he shared with his brother.

“About 11.30 a.m. I was awakened by my brother ; who told me that deceased had just entered the front room of the house. I dressed hastily and entered the room. The french window was open and behind the door I saw deceased standing with a rifle in his hands. He pointed the gun at me and I dodged back into the passage. Deceased was dressed in denim trousers, khaki shirt, and stockings. He did not speak.” AVitness went to a back room occupied by his' employer and found his brother had awakened him. AVitness returned to the front room and found deceased had disappeared. He then assisted-his employer to search the farm for deceased, but they failed to find liiin.

“I then remained at the farm, on my employer’s instructions, while he. accompanied by my brother, drove down the drive in the truck. When the truck was about 90 yards from the farmhouse 1 heal'd the discharge of a rifle. The truck stopped and 1 saw my employer leave the driver’s seat and walk toward the rear of the vehicle. He was shading his eyes with his hand and looking over the paddock in a westerly direction. On looking in tho same direction I saw deceased about 75 yards away and 00 yards distant from the truck, kneeling on the turf and aiming the rifle. 'Simultaneously with the discharge of tho rifle I saw my employer fall. Deceased then turned and ran in a westerly direction and disappeared down the incline.” Witness said he assisted to put his employer in the truck and then drove it to Papatoetoe to obtain medical attention for him. Deceased’s body was found at a point about 20 yards from tiie position where witness had seen deceased kneeling and discharging tho rifle.

The Coroner said he would adjourn the proceedings until July 1.