SHOOTING OF SOLDIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24956, 27 July 1944, Page 6

SHOOTING OF SOLDIER

COIIONER'S OPEN VERDICT

"SOME OF WITNESSES LIED" (PA.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday An open verdict was returned by the coroner, Air • (*. M.ellish, at the inquest into the death of Jlieliurd lownsend Chorlev, a soldier, who died in the Wellington Public Hospital on June 5 after being admitted on May 4 with a gunshot wound in the abdomen. "1 do not propose to traverse the evidence given at this inquest," said Mr Mellisli in giving his verdict this afternoon. "It abounds with evasions and discrepancies and I am convinced that some of the witnesses have lied. Ihe only certain evidence relating to what happened on the night of .May 4 last shows that Chorlev was shot from a distance and could not have shot himself. "In these circumstances it is impossible for me to mako findings of facts which would present a true picture of the events that occurred on that night. I find, therefore, that the deceased died on June 5, the cause of death being a gunshot wound in the upper abdomen received by him on May 4, the said wound not having boon self-inflicted." STABILISATION. FUND CLAIMS OF FARMERS LEGAL OPINION TO BE SOUGHT (0.C.) VANG AN UI, Wednesday The question of whether farmers had any claim on money held in the Stabilisation Fund was raised at the monthly meeting today of the AVanganui provincial executive of the Farmers' Union. It was decided to _ ask the Dominion executive to obtain a legal opinion on this point. | Since the stabilisation regulations came into force in December, 10-112, all increases for primary products hud been paid into tho Stabilisation Fund, and none of this money had been made available to the fanners, said Mr R. 0. Montgomerie, of Kakatahi. It, had been stated that eventually this fund may reach £10.000,000 or £15,000,000, hut no indication had been given that the money would be used for the benefit of tho farmers. It appeared that the Government might transfer this money to the Consolidated Fund or use it for public works or any other expenditure. Mr Montgomerie added that widely rumoured that the United Kingdom Government would shortly make an increase in payments for New Zealand primary produce, and the farmers wanted to know if they would receive any of it. The Prime Minister, the JU. Hun. P. Fraser. came to an agreement on this when abroad, and a statement from him was awaited.

FORMER LEGISLATORS TRIBUTES BY PARLIAMENT (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Tributes of respect to three deceased legislators were paid in tho House ol Representatives today. They wore Mr J. A. Macpborson, a former member for Mount Ida and Oamaru; the Hon. A. Cook, a member of the Legislative Council, who was lost at sea while on his way to Great Britain to attend a National Trade "Union Congress; and the Hon. J. McLeod, a member of tho Legislative Council. Motions of sympathy with their relatives were moved bv' tho Prime Minister. the Rt. Hon. P. Eraser, and seconded by tho Loader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, in each ease. Several members also spoke to each motion. After the tributes the House adjourned until tomorrow as a mark of respect.