A Tragic Mistake

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18521, 29 December 1931, Page 7

A Tragic Mistake

DANK OFFICIAL SHOT.

BY A CLOSE FRIEND. SENSATION AT FEILDING. .(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) FEILDING, Tuesday. Bruoe McCorklndale (22), an officer of the Bank of New Zealand hero, lost his life last night In traglo olrcumstances, being shot by J. L. Burton, a fellow officer of the bank. Burton usually slept on the promises, but had been away for several days, IVloCorklndalo taking his place. Burton was due back last night. IVloCorklndalo wont to the bank premises to make sure that Burton had returned, but oould get no response to his knooklng. MoOorklndale then tried to enter the bank by a rear window of a sleeping room.

Burton was awakened by the opening of the window, and fired twloe.

Constable Johnston, who was on duty nearby, rushed to the / bank, where a traglo mistake was discovered.

McCorklndale died within a few minutes.

Burton explained that he had heard no noise until he was roused by the window being opened. He thought It was a burglar, and fired twloe. The polgnanoy of the tragedy Is deeponed by the fact that Burton and MoCorkindale were close friends. STORY BY BURTON. GRABBED REVOLVER AND FIRED. DECEASED SHOT IN LEFT EYE. <bv Te'earrspb.—Tress Association.) <B y is. s P pBILDINGf Tuesday . Burton stated that he reached the hank at 10 p.m., and retired to his sleeping room. He did not hear anj telephone or other oall. Later he was awakened by hearing a person endeavouring to enter through a window. He could just distinguish the outline of a man. . _ . He grabbed a revolver and Area without taking aim. He did not know that ho had hit the man. He then looked out of the window, expecting to see the man escaping. He saw a policeman coming into the alleyway, who told him that he had ■shot Bruce McCorklndale. It was found that McCorklndale had been shot in the left He died within a few minutes. Constable Johnson states that he left McCorklndale at the Bank alleyway, the latter saying that he knew how to get into the bedroom through a window. The next thing he heard two shots ring out. He rushed back and found McCorklndale dying. Sergeant Cahill took charge of the Investigation and informed deceased’s parents. A Prominent Golfer. The victim was the most prominent golfer this season, going from junior io.senior rank in the local golf club, and played in the final 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 Dominion Secretary of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. THE INQUEST OPENED. EVIDENCE OF DECEASED’S FATHER (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) FEILDING, TBuesday. This morning an inquest was opened before Mr E. Goodbchere, Coroner. Evidence was given by deceased’s father, who last saw his son alive at 9.45 p.m., when he left for the bank to make sure that Burton had retuned or take his place sleeping on the premises. At midnight the police Informed him of the tragedy. The inquest was adjourned sine die.