MIDNIGHT BANK TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 8

MIDNIGHT BANK TRAGEDY

YOUNG MAN SHOOTS FRIEND j MISTAKEN FOR BURGLAR (Per United Press Association.) FEILDING, December 29. Bruce M'Corkindale, aged 22, an officer of the Bank of New Zealand here, lost his life last night in tragic circumstances, being shot by J. L. Burton, a fellow-officer of the bank. Burton usually slept on the premises, but had been away for several days, 'M'Corkindale taking his place. Burton was due back last night, and M'Corkindale went to the bank premises to make sure that Burton had returned. He could get no response to his knocking, and then tried to enter the bank by the rear window of the sleeping room. Burton was awakened by the opening of the window, and fired twice. Constable Johnston, who was on duty nearby, rushed to the bank, where the tragic mistake was discovered. M'Corkindale died within a few minutes. Burton explained that he had heard no noise until roused by the window being opened. He thought it was a burglar and fired twice. The poignancy of the tragedy is deepened by the fact that Burton and M'Corkindale were close friends. Burton stated that he reached the bank at 10 p.m., and retired to his sleeping .room.. He did not hear any telephone or other call. Later, he was awakened by hearing a person endeavouring to enter through the window. Ho could just distinguish the outline of a man. He grabbed his revolver and fired without taking aim. He did not know he had hit the. man. He then looked out of the window, expecting to see the man escaping. He saw a policeman coming into the alleyway, who told him that he had shot Bruce M Corkindalc. It was found that M'Corkindale had been shot in the left eye, and he died within a few minutes. Constable Johnston states that he left at the back of the alleyway, the latter saying that he knew how to get into the bedroom through the window. The next thing he heard was two shots ring out. He rushed back and found M'Corkindale dying. Sergeant Cahill took charge of the investigation, and informed the parents. - The victim was a most promising golfer. This season he was promoted from junior to senior rank in the local golf club, and played in the final of the senior championship. His father has been a member of the Borough Council for a number of years. His mother is prominent in social work, -and is Dominion secretary of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union. Burton, who fired the fatal shot, had been acting as teller at the bank. He usually slept on the premises, and has been in the local branch for four years. He is about 25 years old. He had gone to Opunake for the holidays, and had arranged with Bruce M'Corkindale to sleep at the bank during his absence. He returned as arranged last night, but did not think it necessary to inform M'Corkindale. The latter telephoned to the hank at ‘9.45, but Burton did not reach there till 10 p.m., and therefore missed the call. M'Corkindale searched for the door key in a secret hiding place arranged, but could not find it. He got no response to his door knock, probably as the bedroom is upstairs. He made inquiries in town with a view to ascertaining if Burton had returned, but learnt nothing, and concluded that he had not. Therefore it was his (M'Corkindale’s) duty to occupy the premises. He was pulling down a window when the noise awakened Burton, who seized a revolver and fired at the window. He did pot know the effect of the shot till the policeman, rushing up the alleyway, informed him. He then found to his horror that he had killed his chum. Burton, whose parents reside at Opunake, was appointed to the Feilding branch four years ago. M'Corkindale joined the bank at Foxton. He was afterwards stationed at Woodvillc, and then at Feilding, where he acted as ledger keeper. Burton to-day was allowing the effects of his experience. He is suffering from extreme distress of mind. THE INQUEST. The inquest was opened this morning before Mr E. Goodbehere (coroner). Evidence was given by the father, who last saw his son alive at 9.45 p.m., when he left for the bank to make sure that Burton had returned, or to take his place, sleeping on the premises. At midnight the police informed him of the tragedy. The inquest was adjourned sine die.