FATAL SHOT WOUND

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24209, 26 February 1942, Page 8

FATAL SHOT WOUND

ACCIDENT WITH RIFLE COMMENT BY THE CORONER The death of a 10-year-old boy. who was fatally injured by a shot at Shelly Beach, Howick, on January 13, was investigated by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, at an inquest yesterday. The deceased was Michael William Short, son of Mr. and Mrs. 5. J. Short, of Coronation lioad, Mangere. Digby McGarry, aged 16, said that, in company with three boys named Stanton, he was fishing at the beach and had with him a rifle. When helping to bring in a net, lie handed the rifle, the hammer of which was in the safety position, to a boy, Marsden Stanton, to put on the bank. "I did not tell Stanton the rifle was loaded," said witness. The Coroner: Don't you think it was careless of you to hand a loaded rifle to a boy?— Yes, I do, sir. Jacqueline Fraser, aged 13, said she heard Marsden Stanton say, "I'll shoot you, Bill." She saw the rifle pointed at Bill Short and saw it fired. Marsden Stanton, aged nine, said he pulled back the hammer of the rifle and let it go. The boy Short was five yards from him. "I heard a shot and then I saw Short double up," continued witness. "I said to Short, 'Stick 'em up,' but I didn't point the gun at him." "This was a most unfortunate accident," said the coroner. "If parents allow their children to be in _ possession of firearms, they must instruct them in the proper care and use of such weapons. Here is a boy of. 16 years who carelessly hands a loaded rifle to a child of nine, with the result that another boy was shot." The verdict was that death 'resulted from a rifle wound accidentally received.