Using Firearms in Sport.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1702, 3 July 1885, Page 2

Using Firearms in Sport.

To the Editor of the Standard. Slll, —Will you kindly find space in yoni next issue for the attached account of a most melancholy mid fatal accident which lictell n a widowed mother in the Old Country through her son, who was a volunteer, making ns is alas but too often ease, too much freedom with firearms. Only a few days ago we wore again reminded, much nearer home. I bad intended sending you tuis when the paper first oamo to hand but it got mislaid, and it was but yesterday that 1 came upon it. It is tr.lien from the" fiinooln, liutland and Stamford Morcmy’’ ol the 19th September last. I am, Ac., hi. Bkzah. Penthcrston, 27th dime, 18b,5.

Mr J,'lines Whitely opened »n inquiry at Little Malt.'n, Sussex, respecting the death of Mrs Charlotte Catherine "anuington, aped about it), widow, who was shot dead by her sou.—lames Henry Maunington, 11 years of ago, said deceased was Ins mother. About V : ’.O p m. on the Util iiis-t. witness's brother Saii!!i 1 returned home under the influence of drink , imd commenced joking with the witness. Deceased told him to sit down and be quiet. He still, however, continued, ami at last picked up a rifle belonging to the Volunteer Corps of which ho was a member. This ho presented from his shoulder, aud ex claimed, “ Now, mother, here goes.” Witness heard the trigger sound, and immediately afterwards the charge exploded. Ho saw smoko, and his mother exclaimed, “ I am shot! " and fell to the ground. (Hero the witness fainted, aud had to be carried out of court) On his recovery ho further said that immediately his brother saw deceased fall he threw down the gun, and, rushing to deceased, exclaimed, " Oh, my God, what have I done ? Have 1 killed my poor mother?" Seeing blood flow from her side, ho got upon his feet from the side of the deceased and commenced crying bitterly. He rushed about the hj >iv?e hko a lunatic, ami aflei wards fell on the Hour of the passage in a (it. Samuel Maunington, aged 22, son of the deceased, was here brought into court. lie rs evidently suffering from deep emotion, and

had to be accommodated “ K ;‘ l- '* answer le- the ■r hj ''' l ' "* ' ' ,s not aware tin- gim w-i -oi it. <■ > i-'- 1 "' - 1 it up. He had i-i e" at ! ’ 'a ' ; '' '■ ” previous Satiml i;.. rii ho wa- im! ■■iW.i'i' ■ '. v charge had been 'eh in the r 11■ ■ - I’ l - b 1 ‘ always been on \er. I.li- ctionatc linns wita his mother, whe-ud. nth he <b ■ j>’y mm —At this shine of the proceedings lie w.tness faiily bnike down, and hid to he iemovod from ibe court.—The juiy evintmei.y returned n verdict of ,l deadi by mi-civiii-tura,” ami r< ipn-i t-J the Coroner l<> ceu.-uro the sou fur his n ok'.ess use of the liile.