A SHOOTING CASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7978, 6 April 1904, Page 3

A SHOOTING CASE.

- — « TRAGEDY IN HEREFORD STREET. A lad named Stanley Macleod Smith was found lyin£ in the yard of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia's offices at 160, Hereford Street, this mor-ning. He was removed to the hospital in a very serious condition,, and there seems little hope that he will recover, a revolver bullet having lodged in his brain. The lad was employed as a messenger by the Mutual Life Association, and was aged between seventeen and eighteen. About | ten o'clock this morning one of the other • employees of the Association went into the '■ small yard at the back of the premises, and found Smith lying on the pavement, with a large wound in his forehead, apparently caused by a revolver bullet. A loaded re- , Tolver was lying close by, two of the chambers having been discharged. The lad was unconscious, but was still breathing, ] and assistance was" at once procured. The police were informed by telephone, and shortly after the sufferer was removed; to the hospital. An examination there showed that a bullet had penetrated the brain through the forehead, and although ttie lad was still living early in the afternoon the house surgeon had very little hope of his recovery. It is understood that letters have been found which throw some light on the occurrence.