YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 24537, 11 September 1941, Page 4

YOUNG MAN’S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST An inquest into the death of Michael George Moffett, single, aged 24, of 20 Albert street, Invercargill, was opened yesterday before the Coroner (Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M.). Arthur Basil Moffett, father of the deceased, said at 9.20 o’clock yesterday morning he saw his son in the house in his usual state of health. Ten minutes later he heard the noise of someone falling. He went into ,a bedroom and found his son at the foot of the bed with a double-barrelled shotgun on the floor. Later he noticed blood on his son from a wound. There was a piece of flax lying nearby as though it had been recently left there. His son had been on a shooting trip with a brother at Tokanui during the week-end. On his return the shotgun had been left in the house with a piece of flax tied round it. He believed his son had been taking the flax off the gun when it went off. The gun was loose and his son had spoken of taking it to a locksmith for repairs. The deceased had volunteered for the Air Force some time ago and was studying for the examinations. He had never shown any sign of worrying. Mrs Nellie Snow, aunt of the deceased, gave corroborative evidence and said he had undertaken before the accident to go a message for her. The inquest was adjourned sine die. DEATH OF INFANT An inquest into the death of William Keith Miller, aged three months, which was opened on September 1 and was later adjourned, was conducted yesterday. The child died at Kew Hospital on July 28. When the inquest was opened evidence was given by Dr M. L. Benson, house surgeon, that he acted as anaesthetist at an emergency operation on the child for strangulation of the bowel. A collapse occurred during the operation and although artificial respiration and stimulants were applied the child failed to revive. Dr W. J. Barclay said he performed a post-mortem examination on the child and discovered strangulation of the bowel. Yesterday Dr Stanley Brown gave corroborative evidence and detailed technically the cause of death. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned. TWO WOMEN BURNED BY ACID

(P.A.) PALMERSTON N., Sept. 10. Two young women herd testers, Miss Lois 801 l and Patricia Howard, both of Wellington, suffered burns from sulphuric acid when their motor-van overturned near the city. Miss 801 l is in hospital. Her injuries are fairly extensive. Miss Howard proceeded home after treatment. A vessel containing the acid, which is used in herd testing, was broken in the accident and the contents flowed on to the women, who were pinned in the vehicle.