ACCIDENTS.

Western Star, 19 August 1924, Page 3

ACCIDENTS.

On Saturday afternoon intimation was received by Constable Moore, Otautau, that a young man, William John. Graham Storm, had b-;en found dead in "a"liu't on Mr J. Dickson's farm nt Scott's Gap. Constable Mooro had the body transferred to Otautau, where an inquest was held on Sunaay afternoon before J. Fisher (Acting Coroner), and Messrs W. i FtaseJ- (Foreman), JM. Gonley, G. Sinclair and J. T. Brookor.

Robert , Storm, father of deceased, identified the body as that of his son. 'ie saw him last June when he was in lhe best of spirits, and had never evinced any suicidal tendencies at any time. He had no financial difficulties that lie knew of. Deceased had a farm at Scott's Gap, but he could not make it pay. John Dickson,, farmer, Scott's Gap, "tated that deceased had been in his employ since last harvest, previous to whicli lie had purchased a bush section from Mr A. Saunders. The night before the tragedy deceased had complained of not being able to sleep, and was worrying. Witness had noticed that he was nclancholy for a few days previous. On •he afternoon of Saturday his son had •ome to him and informed him he had 'omul in his hut with his pun ving alongside. He, witness concluded he had committed suicide, but there was- nothing to notify in his behaviour to lead him to think lie contemplated loing so. Deceased had informed him ome time ago lie had had a nervous break down, hut he did not know whe'her he was in financial difficulties or -ot.

Robert Dickson, farmer Scott's Gap. '-new deceased, who had been work:ng for his father for a few months. On 16th inst (Saturdav) he noticed his '■Mm was standing idle after dinner, •md "after investigation found his body inside the hut lying in a pool of blood. r !e Immediately went to the telephone '•uireau and communicated wth Dr Stew >rt and the police. Deceased had never ■•omnlained of being in a difficulty financially, but snee Monday last hart noticed a change in him, but had not thou cut he would do anything rash. Ho concluded deceased had committed suicide, but it ni«y have been an accident.

Dr Stewart detailed how in answer '•o a summons from the Scott's Gap bureau, he had gone to Mr Dickson's farm, and found deceased on the floor if his hut, lying in a pool of blood, nuito dead. He had probably been dead a or 1 hours. He found a gunshot wound -hree quarters of an inch above the nner end of the left eyebrow, and he Relieved death had been caused by the nmshot wound on the brain, producing shock and hemorrhage. He found noT exit wound. The butt of the rifle was lying level with the left buttock, •uid the" muzzle level with the left foot. Probable inference from what he saw, was that deceased had evidently sat in the chair and discharged the wea oon at close range, and fallen off the chair afterwards. It was impossible to say whether it was an accident or not.

. Constable Moore gave evidence of receiving a telephone inossago from Scott's Gap, whereupon be proceeded to Mr Dickson's farm where he met Dr Stewart, who told him he would have to take charge of deceased. He went with Dr Stewart and Mr Dickson to the hut, and found him, lying on the floor with a .22 calibre Savage repeating rifle lying alongside him. On examination he found the empty shell in the rifle. He removed the body to Otautau, and with Mr Dickson and the Doctor made a search, but only found 2s in money. No papers were found which indicated that deceased had contemplated doing a rash act. His examination of the body was m accordance with Dr Stewart's evidence From its position there did not appear to have been any struggle, and there was no evidence of foul piay. There was nothing disparaging against his character.

After retirement the jury came to the following decision: "That deceased met his death by a gunshot wound in the head, self-inflicted.