FARMER FOUND SHOT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20375, 2 October 1929, Page 12

FARMER FOUND SHOT.

BODY LYING IN GULLY.

RESIDENT OF HORAHORA.

[BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday. One of tho best known and most popular residents of the Horahora district, Mr. Georgo Middleton, aged about 45 years, was found dead early this morning in a gully at tho back of the homestoad. There was a bullet wound in the head. Deceased had morning tea with his family at about 11.30 a.m. yesterday and was not seer: again. Ho was due to visit his doctor at Matamata in tho afternooi.. As he did not appeal /ears wero entertained for his safety and a search made without result. Later a search party was organised, but there was no trace of the missing man when darkness fell.

This morning tho search was resumed arid Mr. Middleton's was discovered in a gully about 200 yds. from tho homestead. A rifle was clasped ill tho left hand and there was a wound in tho temple. Deceased's coat and hat were lying alongsido the body and in tho pockets were letters addressed to relatives and friends.

Mr. Middleton, who was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Middleton, of Auckland, had resided at Horahora for tho past 16 or 17 years, farming a portion of the well-known Makgill and Middleton estate. Ho was elected a member of tho Matamata County Council for the Maungatautari Riding at the last county election. He was a keen sportsman and was president of the Horahora Golf Club. 110 leaves a widow and thrco young sons.