CLERK'S TRAGIC DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15308, 22 May 1913, Page 8

CLERK'S TRAGIC DEATH.

SHOT WITH BANK REVOLVER. Absolute misadventure was the conclusion at which the coroner (Dr. McArthur) arrived at as the result of his inquires concerning the death of Rex Desmond Coker, a clerk employed in the Wellington branch of the Bank of New South Wales-

Evidence by several witnesses suggested that the man was shot accidentally, and this view was supported by the descriptions of his death. Ronald Allan Douglas, bill clerk, stated that he saw Coker i|tfthe bank on Friday morning in the first teller's compartment. Witness and another clerk were about to go to the vaults when they heard a revolver-shot. They at once ran to the teller's box, and found deceased in a -sitting position on the floor. Witness raised deceased, bat the latter did not speak. He could see that deceased had been shot through the centre of the forehead. Dr. Henry was immediately called. Deceased had been in the bank for about 18 months, and was of a cheerful.disposition. He was a member of the territorial force and took a great interest in military work. The revolver , (produced) was one of those provided by the bank. The revolvers were supposed to be always fully loaded. Henry Bruce Morison, second teller in the bank, said that he had known the deceased intimately for about nine years. He was of a very bright temperament, and was healthy and strong. Witness* saw him at about 8.40 a.m. on Friday in the teller's room. He was sitting on a chair near a table, and had a,, revolver on his knees. There were three cartridges on the table. Witness said, "Hallo, what are you up to?" Deceased replied, "I am just fixing this up" (meanin gthe revolver). Witness then left deceased, and about five minutes later he heard the report. He ran into the teller's box, and! saw deceased, with a bullet-wound on his forehead. The witness knew that, deceased took an interest in firearms.

The coroner said :—" Deceased died from a shot-wound accidentally inflicted by himself while examining a revolver used in the Bank of New South Wales during the liours of ordinary business. There is nothing to show any suggestion that the deceased was in any way non-financial nor in any other trouble. This is one of those accidents in which we must regret the loss of a good young man through an absolute misadventure."