THE INQUEST.
An inquest .in connection with the Lw.«ton shooting fatality, by wt'ch a young man named Peter Boag was killedj was held in tho Leeston Courtlions** vesterdnv, before -Mr T. H. Willie. J.l\" (ActingCoroner), and a jmy of which Mr J. A. Cunningham was foreman. H. J. Tick, trooper, stated that in company with other memhers of the Ellesmeie Mounted Rides, he was at the rifle -rangs on Tuesday. They adjourned to the slaughterhouse till the weathn , cleared. Captain Boay and Corporal Dixon were at the butts. While the men were standing together somrone .suggested it would be st good idea to tire a vol'ey to attract the attention of the captain. The next thing witness heard was the report of a rifle; he could not say whose rilie it was. He saw J'rooper Boag (all, and on going to him iscovered he wajs wounded. Dr. Gossett was immediately sent for. In reply to questions, witness Raid it was <i customary thing to warn tho mm before filing a volley. Corporal Dixon was in charge before the rain came on. He fed been two years in the corjv, but had not received -a copy of the regulations. The men had some beer for dinner, each man taking Li« own refreshments. L. H. Lunn, trooper, stated that he was at the liiiure. when the accident occurred. While standing with the men he heaid the rej:*>»cf a rifie. and saw Boag throw up his hands and full. He helped to cany the wounded trooper to Mr Dixon'.s house. Replying to questions, witness said ths rifles were not loaded. He did not know who fired the shot. A. Quigley, trooper, stated that the men were looking at the others shifting the target. He did not hear Anything said about firing a volley- He heard a. shot fired and saw Boag fall. He saw Trooper Allen with* his ritte "at ths rctdy," and heard A.!len say he was putting in a cartridge to fire a, volley, and the rifle went off. Allen had been a member of the Company for about three years. No one was in charge of tha men at the time. Dr. (Jrjsett stated that, on examination of Bong he found a bullet wound an inch below the heart, and another, where the bullet had made its exit, under the light shoulder-blade. Captain J. Bong said he was at the butts making fresh targets when the accident occurred. He was notified of what had happened ami on arrival at. the scene found his brother lying on the ground. He enquired'the cause, and was told, *f<? did not speak to Tiooper Allen on the subject. Replying to questions, witness paid the hon-commWioned officers were served with a copy of the regulations, and the noncoms verbally instructed the. men. Amrodhiticn was givtn out. by Ihe noncommissioned officers to the men, but members could purcha.se round* for. practice. After the accident Allen was placed under military arrest, and his rifle tak?n from him. Constable O'Connor deposed that Trooper Allen said to him, "It was an accident. I will tell you* how it occurred. Somtone in the crowd said. 'Fire a volley' to attract- the attention of the officers. T put a cartridge in my rifle, but in closing the breech it went off.' L. H. Lunn. recalled." said the. remark about, firing! a volley was treated more as a. joke. It was made by one if the men, not by an officer. The jury" returned the fo'Viwing vfr<iict : -That deceased met bis dea-th by a- bullet wound caused by Tiomer Allen, and that th? .said Troop*;- Alien showed great carelessness in the use ci firearms." Ths jury also expressed their fympatby with the relatives of deceased.
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Press, Volume LX, Issue 11494, 29 January 1903, Page 3
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623THE INQUEST. Press, Volume LX, Issue 11494, 29 January 1903, Page 3
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