DUNEDIN SHOOTING AFFRAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3107, 4 February 1909, Page 5

DUNEDIN SHOOTING AFFRAY.

By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, February 3. The inquest on the body of Samuel Lewis Brooks, who shot himself at Maori Hill on Monday night, opened to-day. Elizabeth Mai*garet Cameron, mother-in-law of the deceased, said her daughter had been married to the deceased for about seven years. They lived together for about two years, but during the remaining five years lived separately. The deceased, who was a fireman on the Maheno, missed his passage at Wellington about January 19th, and returned to Dunedin. Mrs Brooks was at that time in Auckland, and last Saturday she came down to Dunedin. After tea on Monday night angry words passed between the deceased and his wife. Mrs Brooks was asking the deceased for a ring of hers. The deceased, using an oath, refused to give it up. Mrs Brooks insisted on having it, and witness went out to try and make peace between them. The deceased said to his wife, "I will divorce you!" and then stated that he had been to see a solicitor that day. Her daughter replied that he could divorce her, as she never intended to live with him again. He then threatened to strike her, and she retaliated with a sneering remark, upon which he struck her, and pushed her ( against the scullery bench. The deceased then struck her several times on the head, and she made efforta to protect her face. Witness went into the kitchen and asked her husband to separate them. He refused, saying he would not interfere between man and wife. Witness then went back to the scullery, and three revolver shots were fired. After the fourth shot had been fr-ed the deceased fell. Dr. Hastings said death was due to a bullet wound.

Evidence was also given by David Cameron, husband of Mrs Cameron. Notwithstanding that this witness was in the kitchen during the whole progress of the quarrel, and while the shooting was going on, he made no effort to interfere or assist, but sat calmly on the sofa. His reasons for so doing were that he was fright ened, and it was only when the whole business had subsided that he ventured into the scullery. In course of his evidence he said that he heai'd three revolver shots fired, in quick succession. He x'emained where he was, as he was frightened, and "had more sense than to run into the mouth of that." Witness went out into the scullery when the shooting was over and the noius subsided. He heard shots and screaming and struggling, but throughout he remained where he was.

Sub-Inspector Norwool stated that Mrs Brooks was ii. a private hospital. The bullet had penetrated! her cheek, and had come out just under the eye. No one was allowed to see her, and she would not be available for the inquest for fou : : days. The enquiry was adjourned until Monday next. A MISSING MANAGES. A CHRISTCHURCH SENSATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 3. ' A warrant bas been issued for the arrest of the manager of a local coal company. It is stated that information regarding his whereabouts will be welcomed by several creditors, as well as the shareholders in the company. He seems to have left Christchurch on Wednesday last, and as he did not return by the end of the week, investigations were made into the affairs of the company. Books and documents that should have been kept under his charge were missing. Further enquiry showed that there had been defalcations of a serious nature.

The police are endeavouring to ascertain what has become of the man, but so far are unsuccessful. It seems probable that he has left New Zealand.

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night,

With regard to the missing marager of a local coal dealing company, it is stated that the warrant issued for his arrest charges him with the theft of the company's books. Serious defalcations are alleged, but in the absence of documentary evidence it is not possible to say how the finances of the company stand. It is understood that the directors had decided to wind up the concern, but when search was made for the books no trace could be found of them. The creditors of th 3 company are said to be fully protected, and it is expected that the loss will fall on the two or three gentlemen who constitute the company.