SHOT DEAD

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 December 1931, Page 5

SHOT DEAD

A TRAGIC MISTAKE. FEILDING BANK TRAGEDY. FEILDING, This Day. Bruce McCorkindale (22), an officer of of New Zealand here, lost hisMfe Tast night in tragic circumstances, being shot by J. L. Burton, a fellow offices of the Bank. Burtod" usually slept on the premises, but had been away for several days, McCorkindale taking his place. Burton was due back last night. McCorkindale went to the Bank premises to make sure that Burton had returned, but could get no response to his knocking. McCorkindale then tried to enter the Bank by the rear window of the sleeping room. Burton was awakened by the opening of the window and fired twice. Constable Johnston, who was on duty near by, rushed to the Bank, where the tragic mistake was discovered. McCorkindale died within a few minutes. Burton explained that he had heard ' no noise until roused by the window opened. He thought it was a burglar, and fired twice. The poignancy of the tragedy is deepened by the fact that Burton and Mc- . Corkindale were close friends. BurtcSfcfcated that he reached the bank p.m. and retired to his sleeping room. He did not hear any telephone or other call. Later he was awakened by hearing avperson endeavouring to enter through the window. He could juefc distinguish the outline of a man. He grabbed a revolver and fired without taking aim. He did not know he had hit a man. He then looked out of the window, expecting tp see the man escaping. He saw a policeman coming into the alleyway, who told him that he had shot Bruce McCorkindale. It was found that McCorkindale had been shot in the left eye and died within a few minutes. Constable Johnston states that he left McCorkindale at the back of the alleyway, the latter saying that he kneifjiow to get into the bedroom through a window. The next thing heard was two shots ring out. He rushed back and found McCorkindale dying. Sergeant Cahill took charge of the investigations and informed the parents of deceased. The victim was a most promising gclfer. Safes' season he was promoted from junior to senior rank in the local golf club, and played in the for the senior championship. His father has been a member of the Borough Council! for a number of years. His mother is prominent in social work and was the Dominion Secretary of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’

Union. This morning an inquest was opened before Mr E. Goodbehere (Coroner). Evidence was given by the father, who last saw. his son alive at 9.45 p.m., when lie letft for the Bank to make sure Burreturned, or to take his place sleeping on the premises. At midnight the police informed him of the tragedy. The inquest was adjourned sine die. (P.A.)