The King Shoots a Friend.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 September 1910, Page 4

The King Shoots a Friend.

The Sydney Sun gives the following version to a recent cable regarding an accident at the Royal hunting, expedition at Balmoral "All England to-day is wildly excited over a highly sensational accident that occurred yesterday at a Royal hunting expedition at Balmoral, his Majesty's picturesquely situated' castle in liraemar, Scotland. Braemar is noted for its forests aiul reel deer, and deer-stalking ia the regular thing when members of the Uoyal lamily are in residence at Balmoral. Yesterday, however, it appears, the party were aftei grouse, and were using fowlingpieces, which was perhaps fortunate tor at least one of the sportsmen. "The King had gone out, accompanied by Lord Kilmarnock and the latter's brother-in-law, Sir Victor Mackenzie, Bart. His Majesty has the reputation of being a rather good shot, but yesterday his marksmanship seems to have been a trifle erratic, to say the least of it. It really cannot be said exactly what happened, as the most desperate efforts have been made to hush the whole thing up. But it has transpired that Lord Kilmarnook was shot by his Majesty, and badly wounded.

"ft was only with the greatest difficulty that what few particular*, have been publishful were gleaned. At the time the accident Lord Kilmamiork was standing about iortv yards from the King, who was carrying a double-barrelled hammerless gun. Whether the weapon went off accidentally, or whether lii:Majesty fired at something, not knowing that Lord Kumarnock was in the way, cannot -e ascertained. Hut the gun mu go off, and his Lordship got the full charge at what was well within the "killing" distance for game. The mishap, of course, created intense consternation amongst the other members of the shooting party. It was at once seen that the victim of the accident was badly hurt. He had been thickly peppered about the face and body. Indeed, it said, that but for the protection afforded by his glasses lie would have been ,blinded for life.

/'The King, of course, was much distressed at the untoward occurrence, which, needless to say, brought the clay's pleasure to an abrupt termination."