DISCOVERY IN TRAM WAITING-SHED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1645, 11 January 1913, Page 3

DISCOVERY IN TRAM WAITING-SHED.

INQUEST HELD. THE LETTER TO A COMRADE. On Thursday a body was discovered in tho tramway waiting-sued at Oriental Bay by Miss Doris Cook. A revolver was lying near by. Tho body was afterwards identified as that of Patrick Ferguson, aged 50 years, and an inquest was held yesterday, Mr. W. G, Riddell presiding as coroner. Thomas Byrne, seaman, was first called. He stated that ho had known deceased for about two months. Deceased came to tho Turkish Baths, wliere'ho (witness) lived, at 11.20 p.m. on Wednesday. Ho was not under tho influence of liquor, although ho smelt a little of it. Ho proceeded to his box, took a parcel out, which hn put- in his pocket, and on leaving tho room remarked, that he was going out to visit 6omo friends. In reply to questions witness added that deceased was a sober, sociable, and rather steady man. He had not seen deceased with a revolver. . ; Thomas Bourke stated that ho had known Patrick Ferguson for about fivo years. Ho was a steady man, and witness had never seon him under the influence of liquor. Witness produced a note which ho had received from deceased. •The note read as follows:— _ "Dear Old Friend, Tom,-I om going to change my medicine; It will be a bit hard to take, but I think it will euro all complaints. Some people might say that I am all wrong, but II think it is the only move on the board. Will say good-bye. Prosperous New Year,—Paddy." George Cronk deposed that he had known deceased for the last seven years. Some timo since deceased had been left a sum of about m, by an old shipmate, but, three weeks ago,- he had drawn the last of this sum. Doris Cook stated that, on going into the tram-shed at Oriental 'Bay, at about 6 o'clock on Thursday morning, she noticed deceased lying on the seat; and (as she_ thought), apparently asleep. She then noticed blood on his forehead, and a revolver lying at his feet. She. called a man who was passing, hut ho "had a look,"- and then expressed the opinion that deceased was asleep. She (witness) then deemed it advisablo to communicate with' the police. Constable M'Kelvio deposed that (after receiving intimation from Miss Cook) ho had found the body in the waiting-shed. Ho also found a .32 Smith and Wesson five-chambered revolver. Ono of the chambers had been discharged, but the others were loaded. Deceased had apparently sustained a bullet wound in the temple. Witness also found a box of 31 cartridges in the pocket of deceased, and the sum of 12s, 6d. ■ ' The coroner returned a vordict that doceased had died of a bullet wound, selfinflicted, whilst temporarily insane.