THE PEA RIFLE TRAGEDY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16676, 29 June 1916, Page 4

THE PEA RIFLE TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST

The death of the lad Archie Hodson from a pea-rifle wound on Sunday afternoon was inquired into before Mr. W. Kerr, S.M.V on Monday afternoon. George Hodson, a baker, living in Russell Street^ stated that the deceased lad was his son. He dicPnot know that the lad was out with a pearifle. The boy did not speak to Kirn wheff they met in the' Hospital after the accident. He seemed to be too bad. Witness went away to get the boys' mother, and on his return /the lad had expired. y

Alexander David Charles Williamson' said he was a great friend of the dead boy, who worked on .Mrs. Breen's larm at Westmere. Witness himself had borrowed the pea-rifle, and had purchased the ammunition at Thain's. He was holding the rifle, when it went off. The pellet hit the lad Hodson in the stomach. Hodson told him to get Frank Dunbar, a man who worked on the farm. Witness did so.. The wounded lad did not speak to. him again. The Coroner gave a verdict of death due to a gunshot wound inflicted by the accidental discharge" of a pea-rifle. His Worship added a rider to the effect that the law with respect to the sale of firearms and ammunition to .boys under age should be made more severe.