THE SHOOTING FATALITY AT PUNI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11856, 7 January 1902, Page 5

THE SHOOTING FATALITY AT PUNI.

The adjourned inquest on the tody tn the Austrian named Franic-h Uncovich, who was accidentally shot at Puni, near Pukekohe, on the 31st ult., was proceeded .with yesterday at the Criterion Hotel, before Mr. (iresham, coroner. „ Robert Fellowes Webster, J.P., deposed to taking the dying deposition of deceased, who was, quite conscious at the time, though in great pain. The deposition of deceased was as follows :—'"Tony Ivanovich shot Frane Uncovich with a barrel shot gun in the right hip. We were good friends. I am sur# be did not mean to shoot me. The rabbit he intended to shoot ran round, and he followed it round with the gun ready." After hearing medical and other evidence the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, no blame being attachable to anyone. At a later stage, Ivanovich, who was arrested and lodged in gaol pending the investigation, was brought before Mr. Brabant, S.M., and formally charged with the wilful murder of the deceased. Sub-Inspector Mitchell, who appeared for the police, informed His Worship that a coroner's inquest had been held and that a verdict of accidental death had been brought in, after which he applied for the discharge of the accused, stating that no evidence was- to be offered against him. The accused was then discharged. " _______