THE WANGAPEKA SHOOTING FATALITY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 12723, 15 December 1909, Page 2

THE WANGAPEKA SHOOTING FATALITY.

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL

DEATH

An Inquest on the body of Walter Allen Gainsford, farmer, of Wangapeka, who was found dead, with a bullet wound in his body and a rifle lying alongside of him, at Wangapeka on Sunday last, was he'd ou Monday opening by Mr. V. H. Phillips ,T.P~ (acting-Coroner).

Constable Cameron represented the police.

The following composed the jury : — Messrs. W. J. Wat-tie (foreman)*, T. Patterson, F. H. Currin, and L. Williams.

Alfred Charles Biggs, a labourer, stated that ou Sunday last ho was drafting sheep with Mr. Henry S. Gainsford. The deceased -who was also with them was carrying a rifle, but lie left- -them. They lioivrd. the repovt of a rifle-, but did not think there had been an. accident, and went, on drafting the( sheep. After a while they bogaii to feel anxious and went to look for their companion. They found him dead. After consultation, they went for assistance to carry deceased home. The bullet went right through his -body.'By the jury: The body was found lying face downwards, with arms folded under the face. The rifle was lying about six feet away 'from the body, pointing towards it. He could not say what caused the. rifle to explode. Deceased was in unususjly good spirits that morning and so far as he knew deceased had no worries that would cause him to commit suicide.

Henry Samuel Gainsford, farmer, gave corroborative) evidence. He could only suggest that the accident had been caused by the rifle being accidentally discharged while the deceased was running after the sheep. Dr. Hudson gave evidence as to the cause of death.

' The jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death through the acdental discharge of a rifle.