FARM TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 10

FARM TRAGEDY.

YOUTH FOUND DEAD.' Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 8. / With a bullet wound over the heart and a pea rifle by tbe side, the body of John Ernest Bedford, a farm hand, aged 16* years, was found on the floor of the separator room at the farm of his employer, Mr G. C. W. Howie, Karaka, near Papakura, at about b o’clock last evening. Mr Howie made the discovery on his return from Auckland with his wife. Noticing that no work had been done, he looked for Bedford, and on entering the separator room found him lying on his back with the rifle within reach. He notified the Pukekohe police who, with a doctor proceeded to the farm. Chief-Detective Hall and three detectives arrived at the farm at about 11 o’clock and returned to Auckland this morning. The body was brought to Auckland, where a post-mortem examination was held. The police stated that, from the surrounding circumstances, it seemed that there was nothing to suggest deceased had met with foul play. He was in the habit of borrowing bis employer’s pea rifle and going out shooting. He had been employed on the farm for two years and was well liked in the district, being of a quiet and retiring disposition. ... At the inquest this morning his brother said he last saw deceased at 10.30 on Sunday night, when he visited witness who worked on a farm in the same district. He was in his usual health. Witness thought Ins brothers work worried him and he had spoken of- leaving after Christmas. The inquest was adiourned.