SHOT HIS MATE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17230, 9 April 1930, Page 13

SHOT HIS MATE

TRAGEDY OP RUAHINES DEER STALKER'S DEATH I'atalU to shoot his besi friend and companion "I mauj Mich expeditions was Iho distressing experience of Albert vie tor Samuel Dick, of Apiti, who was the partner of Ivo Kdward CumnierJiohl, the doer-stalker, who died in the .fiuahinc ranges on Kriday last. An inquest was held at the home ot deceased s parents, Mr. and Mrs. K II (iininierlitdd, on Suiida\ before the coroner, Mr. K. Ooodbehero. The coroner said be could only return a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and stale that deceased met his rloath through misadventure, no blame being attachable to anyone. It, was a most distressing fatality, and he could only express his deep sympathy with the parents of deceased. [n his evidence Mr. Dick, who had been stalking in the ranges with Mr. Cuinmeriield since Sunday. March 30, stated that on Friday be and deceased left camp at 7.20 o'clock, walking up tho ridgo 600 or 700 yards. where_ they separated, as was customary. Witness went higher up the lace of tiie ridge and deceased travelled round the basin on a lower altitude to stalk. He heard lour shots fired by his companion from about half n mile distance. DENSE I'.CSll. The bush was very dense at the place. where witness was stalking. Before separating it was agreed that each should pursue a definite direction, and it was understood where each would go. Between 11 and 11.30 o'clock witness shot a stag, which was accompanied by a hind. The hind broke away downhill toward a creek and witness followed it for about 500 pards, when he lost sight of it. but could hear it ahead. When the hind reached the creek it travelled up stream for about 200 yards, and witness followed the tracks, but did not sight the animal lie had reached a point in the stream where a log lay at. all angle over tin* stream, when he saw a movement in she scrub about, 50ft. from where he was standing. Ho watched the object for a few seconds and saw it move, away, pause, and then move on again, hut hi! heard no sound. MATE'S BAST WORDS Witness then tired and immediately heard deceased call out, "My God, Albert ! You've shot me in the stomach." Witness then realised that he had shot his mate and rushed to his aid, but found him already unconscious. He moved deceased on to the creek bed and examined the wound, which was in the right buttock. Witness tried to stop tho bleeding, and then went for assistance to Mrs. Miller at Table-flat. This was the nearest residence with a telephone. Witness concluded by stating that he had known Cuinmeriield all his life, and t hey had always been great friends. They had been deer stalking together during tho past six or seven years. From the arrangements made prior to separating witness did not expect, his companion to be within 600 or 700 yards of the creek where the accident happened.

Dr. 11. J. Barnicoat stated that Cuinmeriield had a gunshot wound in the right buttock, which had apparently travelled up and into the stomach. Death was due to shock and internal haemorrhage.—Dominion.