FATAL GUN ACCIDENT AT PAHI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9009, 23 March 1888, Page 5

FATAL GUN ACCIDENT AT PAHI.

Pa ii I has had a severe gloom cast over it caused by the fatal accident which took place on Monday. Mr. George Haines, storekeeper, has recently leased the orchard of Mr. Thomas Coates, but was much annoyed by the ravages of wandering pigs. On Monday, in company with Mr. Swallow, he went to the orchard for the purpose of gathering fruit, taking a double - barrel breech - loader gun with him in case they should come across any pigs. On landing they saw a pig, and made chase. Mr. Haines fired, but the pig made off, Swallow going one way and Haines another through tho scrub, for the purpose of heading it. Swallow says he heard another shot fired, and Haines called out, " Now we'll have him." He then saw Haines with gun uplifted, butt uppermost, as if he was in the act of striking the pig (although he could not say for certain, as there was some scrub between them). He then heard another discharge, and running up, found Haines .lying on the ground, quite unconscious. He lifted his head, resting it 011 a tuft of rushes, and came to Pahi for help, obtaining which, he returned, but Mr. Haines was, to all appearance, dead. They brought the body over to Pahi, and, in Dr. Mountaine's absence, called in the aid of Dr. Fisher, who pronounced life extinct. An inquest was held on March '20, presided over by Mr. W. W. Ariell, J.P. and Coroner, and evidence being- taken, a verdict was returned of "Accidental death." The funeral took place on Wednesday. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Haines and family. The deceased was a general favourite on account of his kind and obliging disposition, and will be very mucn regretted. We have learned that the deceased had for six years been insured in the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company for £500. Unfortunately for his survivors he had allowed the policy to lapse about ten days before his death.