ANOTHER WAIHOU VALLEY TRAGEDY

Northern Advocate, 13 July 1936, Page 6

ANOTHER WAIHOU VALLEY TRAGEDY

WELL-KNOWN FARMER FOUND DEAD

[Special to “Northern Advocate .”o KAIKGHE. This Day. !r jpHE Waihou Valley has been clouded by its second tragedy within the past six weeks. Joseph Ogle Ferguson, aged 32, a well-known settler of the Valley, was foufld dead yesterday morning on his property, Marangai Road, Okaihau. Deceased owned two farms, and on Friday last left his homestead in s Waihou Valley, intending to shoot marauding dogs on his other property, which is situated about seven miles from Okaihau, in the direction of Utukura. Becoming concerned at the prolonged absence of Mr Ferguson, Mr C. Carter, a neighbour on the Marangai Road, instituted . a search early on Sunday morning. At 9.30 p.m. he came upon the body of Mr Ferguson, lying three feet from a wire fence, I with the top of the head pi’aci tically blown off. | Both barrels of a shotgun, which I was a few feet distant from the ' body, had been discharged. Mr Fer- | guson has apparently been dead some | time. Police On Scene. 1 Inspector O’Hara, engaged on the Nelson murder investigations two miles from the scene of the tragedy, was immediately communicated with, and arrived with a party of police. At an inquest, which opened before the Dictrict Coroner, Mr T. J. V. Dunlop, yesterday, evidence of identification was given by a relative, Mr J. W. Ogle. W. R. Graham, who farms an adjoining property at Marangai, said that about 3.30 p.m. on Friday afterincon, he heard two shots fired. I It was disclosed at the inquest that 'the carcase of a dog had been found (about 50 yards from where Mr FerguI son was lying. On investigation, it was ascertained that the dog had been killed by a bullet from a pea-rifle. Dr. E. G. McLean, of Kaikohe, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said the dog had been dead for some considerable time, and certainly had not been shot by Mr Ferguson. Inquest Adjourned. The inquest was adjourned sine die pending further investigations by the police. There is no suggestion of foul play, and it is highly probable that the gun was accidentally discharged as Mr Ferguson was getting through the fence. Mr Walter Ferguson, of Mangamuka, told the “Northern Advocate” today that his brother was in good health and spirits. Deceased, who was a single man, was born at Rangiahua. where his parents were among the earliest settlers. He had resided in the district all his life.

The funeral took place at Rangiahua this afternoon.