FOUND SHOT IN HUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 14

FOUND SHOT IN HUT

* EVIDENCE AT INQUEST • VERDICT OF SUICIDE £bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] HUNTLY, Friday ' The middle-aged man who * was found Bhot, with a double-barelled gun beside him, in a hut at Ohinewai yesterday, was identified at the inquest to-day as James Thomas L'earmouth Galbally, a widower, 50 years of age, who had resided in Auckland. ' i J. Mclndoe, estate agent, of Auckland, said that he had last seen the deceased on Saturday, when he appeared to be in normal health. They had discussed the erection of buildings on the property at. Ohinewai, which deceased had purchased tLrough 'witness* firm. Deceased said he would go'down to see about them. He was a-man of reserved disposition and had ample means. He had three children. / C. Ji Clark, licensee of the Rangiriri Hotel,-stated that he recognised the body " ai that of a man who had stayed at the hotel on Saturday night, leaving on Sunday morning. Witness did not know if deceased had a gun, but one might have been wrapped up in his coat, which was rojled and strapped. Deceased did not converse readily. Ann Wilson stated that on Tuesday about 9.30"' a.m. she said that her attention was directed to the hut by seeing a coat lying outside. When she looked in ihe hut she saw the feet of a man on <he floor and thought he was asleep. On Thursday jnorning she noticed that the coat and the man were still there. She notified the neighbours. Constable Robertson gave evidence that a double-barelled gun was lying beside the body, the indications being that deceased had shot himself through the lietid. The' coroner, Mr. F. Harris, returned a verdict accordingly.