GUN SHOT WOUND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8650, 7 February 1914, Page 6

GUN SHOT WOUND

REGATTA SPECTATOR’S TRAGIC END EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST., The Coroner, Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., yesterday concluded the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anton Bogren, who died at the hospital last Tuesday from blood-poisoning, as the result of being shot in the leg by a wad from a small cannon used for starting yacht races at the regatta on Anniversary Day. The deceased, who was a married man of middle-age, resided at Evans Bay road, Roseneath. Mr R. Kennedy appeared for the relatives of the Senior-Sergeant Mullany for the police, and Mr G. H. Fell for the secretary of the yachting club.

Henry V. Batten, secretary of Te Ruru "Yachting Club, gave evidence that on Anniversary Day, he was acting as assistant starter of the yacht races. He was in charge of a small Winchester cannon placed near the end of the Clyde quay wharf, from where the racing was directed. Blank cartridges were used, being the usual method of starting yacht races. The cannon was pointing towards Oriental Bay, and there was a small space between the weapon and the end of the wharf, through which people were passing_continually. The space was cleared prior to the finish of the race, and witness warned the crowd to stand clear. There was no -one in front of the gun when it was fired. About two minutes later, witness was surprised to hear someone say that a man had been shot, and he then saw deceased, who had a nasty wound in the right leg. Witness assisted the deceased to Dr Tolhurst, who attended to thd injury and removed the deceased to his home. Witness had fired the cannon on occasions, and purchased the .ammunition himself. To Mr Kennedy: The commodore of the club was standing beside witness, and also warned people away from the space in front of the gun. To Mr Fell: Witness believed that the deceased’s attention was turned entirely to the race that was in progress, and he forgot the proximity of the cannon. •I HAVE GOT AN AWFUL STING.” John H. Waterson, a blacksmith, residing at Grafton road, Roseneath, stated that he accompanied the deceased to the Clyde quay wharf on Anniversary Day. As the race was in progress, when they came to the wharf, they ran up to the end to see the finish. Witness did not observe the cannon, but when it was discharged his legs were shaken by the concussion, which seemed to have passed quite close to him. Witness turning round then said to the deceased, who was standing to the right, a little in the rear, “I nearly got it.” Deceased replied, “I got it.” The cannon was four or five paces from deceased, who then said, “I have got an awful sting,” and lifted his leg with his hand. Witness saw blood running down deceased’s leg, and on examining the wound saw that the wad had hit the shin bone. 51 To Mr Fell: Witness did not hear any warning given, but that was possibly on account of the high wind that was* blowing at the time*

Sidney John Tisdall, gunmaker, said that he sold the cartridges to Mr Batten. They were the usual description of blank cartridges, being loaded with six grains of powder, four felt wads, and two cardboard wads. When Mr Batten purchased the cartridges, witness sadd to him, “Don’t think these cartridges are not dangerous, for they are.” Mr Batten replied that there was no fear, as the cannon was to bo fired from the end of the wharf. To Mr Kennedy: At a distance of nine or ten paces from the muzzle of the gun there would be considerable danger when the cartridges were discharged. THE VERDICT., His Worship observed that it was a most unfortunate case, showing how accidents occurred when least expected. The method of starting yachting races with a cannon- was a common, one, and though accidents had net occurred before still the practice was dangerous. Both the commodore and the man who had fired the gun had warned the people to stand dlear and taken precaution, but apparently sufficient care had not been taken. Tha gun should have been placed in such a position as not to interfere with tha onlookers. The actual wound received by the deceased had not been serious, but it was the after-effects that had proved fatal.. A verdict was returned, in accordance with the medical testimony previously heard, that deceased died from exhaustion following on blood-poisoning caused through a, gunshot wound accidentally received on January 22nd. The coroner added that no blame was attachable to anyone, but emphasised that every care should be taken in future to keep people a safe distance from the starting gun.