THE WJNGAPEKI SHOOTINQ FITIUTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 14 December 1909, Page 2

THE WJNGAPEKI SHOOTINQ FITIUTY.

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

An inquest was held last night touching the death of "Walter Allen Gainsford, who was found lying dead at Wangapeka on Sunday evening, shot through the heart. .

The inquest was ' conducted hy Mr % H. Phillips, J.P., Acting-Coroner, and the following comprised the jury: —Messrs W J Wattie (foreman); T Patterson; F H Currin; and Xj Williams. Constable Cameron represented the police.

.' Alfred Charles Biggs, a labourer, stated that on Sunday last he 'wag drafting sheep with Henry T. Gainsford. The deceased, who was also with "them, was carrying a rifle; but he lei t them. They heard the report of a rjlie; but did not think there had been.' an accident, and went on grafting, the sheep. After a. while they 'began to feel anxious, and went to look for their companion. They found -him dead. After consultation they went for assistance to carry deceased home; The bullet went right through the body.

"To the jury: The body was found lying, face downwards,- with the arms folded -under his face. The rifle was Iving' about six_feet away from the .body, pointing towards it. He could not'-a'ay what caused the rifle 'to explode.' Deceased was in unusually stood spirits that morning, aud so far as ho knew deceased had no worries that ■'• would cause him to commit .suicide.

■ Henry Samuel Gains'ford, farmer, gave corroborative evidence. He could only suggest that the accident had been caused by the rifle being accidentally discharged while the deceased was running after the sheep.

Dr. Hudson gave evidence ag to th» cause, of death.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death through the accidental discharge of a gun.

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