TRAGEDY AT A BANK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 8

TRAGEDY AT A BANK.

FATE OF YOUNG CLERK. SHOT DEAD BY FRIEND. ENTERING BY A WINDOW. MISTAKEN FOR BURGLAR. NOTED YOUNG ATHLETE. [by teltjorarn.—nws conn esponpfnt.] FEJLDINCt, Tuesday. Tinder most tragic circumstances, Mr. Allan Bruce MeC'orkindale, aged 20 years, a clerk at the Bank of New Zealand, Feilding, was fatally shot by Mr. J. L. Burton, a fellow-employee of the bank, just before midnight last night. Hearing a noise at the window. Burton, a clerk, who was sleeping 011 the bank premises, picked up a revolver and fired two shots in the direction of the window. (")ue of the. bullets penetrated the left eye of MeC'orkindale, killing him almost insl antly. That, the tragedy should occur through the zeal of both young officers for the. care of the bank renders it, tho more, heartrending. The two young men were the closest friends. Burton, whose duty if was to sleep on the bank premises, had been awav from Feilding for the, Christmas holidays, visiting his parents at Opunake, Taranaki. During his absence it had been arranged that McCorkindale. should sleep on tho bank premises, the . arrangement being that Burton was to return last night. No Response to Rings. During the evening McCorkindale rang up the bank several times to see if Burton had returned, but, getting no reply, he became uneasy. After discussing the matter with his father, he decided to go down to tho bank to investigate. On reaching town McCorkindale met Constable Johnson, who was on night duty. He. informed the police officer of his mission. After walking round the business block of the town with the constable McCorkindale remarked. "Oh, well. I might as well go to the bank now." He then left. McCorkindale rang the bell at the bank premises, but, receiving no answer, became convinced that Burton had not returned. He set about getting into tlfe bedroom at the rear of the bank A small lean-to gives sufficient height for the. -bedroom window where the clerk on duly sleeps to be reached. Sergeant Cahill states that McCorkindale proceeded by that means to gain entrance to the 100 m, the window of which was apparently shut. Two Shots Fired. Without calling out to ascertain if anyone was within, McCorkindale proceeded to open the window. The noise awakened Burton, who mistook the dimlydiscernible figure for an unlawful intruder, seized his revolver and fired. Burton, who was grief-stricken when he became aware of the shocking tragedy, informed Sergeant Cahill that, he had not heard any telephone rings after his return to the bank. The summons oh tho door bell also he had not heard, the noise which aroused him being from the" direction of the bedroom window, to which place lie fired two shots. Tine Sports Record. McCorkindale was the eldest son of two of Feilding's most highly-respected citizens. Mr. and Mrs. A. C. McCorkindale, of Nelson Street. Of engaging, yet modest personality, McCorkindale was tho type of young manhood any community could ill afford to lose. He finished his education at the. Palmerston North "Boys' High School, where his athletic prowess earned him distinction, lie represented the school in the Moascar Cup and other important matches. He took up golf in Feilding and last season climbed out of the junior ranks of the club to contest the senior championship title. Mr. McCorkindale. joined the bank at Foxton in June, 1929, and later served at. Woodvillc before being transferred to Feilding. Mr. Burton, who is about 25 years of age, has been in the local branch for four years. Formal evidence of identification was given at tho inquest to-day. On the application of Sergeant, Cahill the inquest was adjourned sine die.