FATAL WOUNDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24102, 22 October 1941, Page 6

FATAL WOUNDS

DEATH OF GRAHAM WIFE AT BEDSIDE GRIM TEAGEDY ENDS TRIBUTE TO SEARCHERS [BV TELEGRAPH—PRESS association] HOKITIKA, Tuesday The Koiterangi farmer Stanley Graham, who was responsible for the death of four police officers and two Home Guardsmen, died in the Westland Hospital at 5.30 o'clock this morning as a result of a bullet wound through the body received when he was shot by Constable ,T. D'A. Quirke last evening after a man-hunt lasting 12 days. Accompanied by the Rev. T. D. and Mrs. Childs, Mrs. Graham visited her husband in the hospital and remained with him until after his death. Graham was conscious for the greater part of the time. He was guardod by three police. Evidence of identification was given at the inquest on Graham, which was opened before the coroner, Mr. A. Benjamin, of Hokitika, this afternoon. Sergeant L. Wilson obtained an adjournment until 2 p.m. to-morrow, when the evidence of Constable Quirke will be taken, also that of Constable E. Ross, of Lyttelton, who was at the scene when Graham was fatally shot. Graham's funeral will take place privately at the Hokitika cemetery early to-morrow. State ol Earlier Wounds When captured it was found that Graham had suffered severely in two encounters with the police and searchers, one near his home on the night Mr. Coulson and Mr. Hutchison were fatally wounded, and one two days later. A post-mortem showed that the injuries received then in the left hand, which was badly swollen, and the right shoulder, were both in a serious state, needing urgent medical attention, and would probably have caused death in his hiding place before many days, because they had reached the stagey where medical assistance was vital. Graham received surgical attention soon after his admission to the hospital,) and it seemed as if he might recover. Toward two o'clock this morning, however, he collapsed. His medical attendants were Drs. B. L. Wilson and R. F. Aitken, of Hokitika. Dr. Wilson first gave Graham medical attention as he lay in a bed of straw in the army truck which brought the wounded man from Mr. Growcott's farm. Incidents After Capture Graham recognised Dr. W'ilson at once, for the doctor had treated him on various occasions. "I'm pleased to see you, doctor,'" he said. Graham asked for a drink and took two or three sips of water. "Thank you, doctor," he said. Later he told Dr. Wilson he wanted to come in, but they (the police) wanted to shoot him. Halfway on the journey to Hokitika the ambulance was stopped while Graham had another drink. Graham's wounded hand was swollen to twice its size from the septic nature of the bullet hole. His shoulder wound was also severe.

The hunted man must have possessed shaving gear, for, although he was out in the bush for 13 days, his beard "was not more than two days old. In his ammunition belt he had 15 rounds of rifle ammunition. His trousers were mudstained and torn from his bush wanderings. As Graham lay wounded after Constable Quirke had shot him, he was asked if he was hungry. "By jove, I am," he replied. Commissioner's Appreciation

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. D. J. Cummings, loaves Hokitika on Thursday for Wellington. Inspectors Sweeney (Wellington) and Carrol (Christchurch) will return home to-morrow. Except for a number of sergeants and detectives, practically all the police engaged in the hunt proceeded to Christchurch this evening en route for their homes. Mr. Cummings paid a tribute to the members of the Police Force engaged in the search and to those assisting. "Altogether there were close on 90 members of the Police Force engaged in the hunt," he said. "Inspectors Calwell, Carrol and Sweeney were assisted by nine sergeants and four detectives, the remainder being constables from various parts of New Zealand. All worked exceptionally long hours, completing an ordinary two days' work in one day, sometimes working as long as 48 hours when engaged on long difficult treks through the bush. Army's Assistance

"The police organisation was very complete and satisfactory. This was due in a large measure to the co-operation of my own officers and men with army officers under Captain W. Mundy, signals branch, Burnhnm, and his personnel. The Army provided 28 signallers under two officers and three sergeants, with Captain Caldwell in charge of the signal unit. "A Royal Air Force bomber aeroplane was of great assistance during the time it was in Hokitika. PilotOfficer McCormick, of Nelson, in charge of the aeroplane, and the crew cooperated splendidly. "Home Guards gave excellent service early in the search, working all hours," said Mr. Cummings. "Many had to milk their cows very early and after completing this came to see what help they could render during the day and, if required, even coming back after milking at night. "I cannot speak too highly of the service rendered by residents of the district," said Mr. Cummings. Prime Minister's Thanks

Mr. Cumniings said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, with whom he was in telephonic communication to-day, had requested him to extend to the people of the district his appreciation and that of the Government for the wonderful work and assistance they had rendered the police. "Mr. Fraser asked me to convey to everybody connected with the search, the police, Army, Air Force, Home Guard, civilians, residents and particularly the women of the district, grateful thanks for the work that had been done at Koiterangi," concluded Mr. Cumniings.