DEVONPORT TRAGEDY

Northern Advocate, 25 October 1935, Page 6

DEVONPORT TRAGEDY

INQUEST OPENED BOY’S FATHER’S EVIDENCE DROPPED SHELL ON NOSE. '[Special to “Northern Advocate AUCKLAND, This Day. Before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, an inquest was opened yesterday into the death of John William Boswell, aged 8 years, who was killed when a 61b shell exploded at his home in King Edward Parade, Devonport, on Wednesday afternoon. The boy’s father, John Harold Boswel 1 relief worker, said he had left his home about 2.45 p.m., leaving his son alone in the house. Shortly afterwards witness heard a loud report, but thought it was shooting at Port Cautley. He was then told that an accident had occurred at his home. He immediately returned, and learned that his son had been seriously injured. On going to the back door of his house he found the exploded shell. Mr Boswell said that he had seen service in the permanent forces. He examined the shell, and could definitely recognise it as one which had been lying about a fernery at his house for at least ten years.' It had been used about the house by both his wife and himself. Mr Boswell used the shell to hammer in stakes in the garden. It was also used by his son as a mooring weight for his model yacht, and was frequently submerged for long periods. “I could tell the shell had been fired through a gun, and I formed the opinion that it was what is known as a ‘practice shot.’ These are fitted with a threaded plug, instead of a fuse. Had it been a practice shot it would have been perfectly harmless. The only conclusion that I can arrive at to ex•plain the accident is that my son dropped the shell nose down on the concrete step, and I am of the opinion that the shell was fitted with a base percussion fuse.” The inquest was adjourned.