THE SHOOTING OF COULTON

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1931, Page 3

THE SHOOTING OF COULTON

AN INVESTIGATION. EXONERATION OF •> BANK. OFFICIAL. AUCKLAND, Deep 11. When the inquest in to-Aim death of Oswald Laurenqe Coulton, aged tvventy-your, who was shot 41 dead at the Remit era branch of the Bank of New Zealand on November 24, was resumed in a written statement produced, F. W. T. Youngs said that lor tlie past three months he had been in charge of the Reniuera branch of -the Bank of New Zealand. He was was the only person. employed at this branch. On either November l(v or November 17 deceased called at the bank and had a conversation regarding money he had said lie had in a bank in Montreal. “I did not see deceased again until he called at Ahc ban just after midday -to-day, November 24,” continued the., statement.' “I was alone when he came up to the counter and handed me the letter produced. He said, ‘1 have written this letter you 'asked me to.-’ I commenced to read the letter and .iluid only read about two lines . when he stepped hack and glared at me'and raised his arm. He had something like a piece of canvass in his hand and lie struck me on the head with this, inflicting an injury to- the top portion of my head. ,1 reeled backwards, against tlie- wall. Deceased -stepped back and shut the front door, REVOLVER FIRED. i. “I had a loaded revolver in my right-hand coat pocket. When deceased rushed across from the front door to the counter I pulled tlie revolver, out and pointed it at him. Deceased then dropped . down behind the counter. 1 went to lift up the flap of the counter to go after him. 1 think it was then that 1 fired tlie revolverHe rushed to the door and opened’, it and got outside. I was dazed front the blow oil the head and 1 was, just , going through tlie door of the countijr when I fired the • second shot. , teased would then be r uniting through the front door into the, street. I sang out to him to stop before I fired. He did not speak .. hut kept on running., 1 am not . sure whether I fired one or two shots, but I know one .chamber was empty ' before I did any .Just, as 1 J got to the front entrance I saw tie- | ceased stumble at the corner of tlie building and .fall on his face on the. footpath, j.. did . not proceed bey-pud the doorstep.” . \ ..

After numerous witnesses had giveil evidence the. wlietlp. or it whs customary for banks to have bpincli offices where only• oueV.lnan was• in charge../. ■ “I." believe the, banks Are.-nowcplac-ing two men • ip their, branches and they, are putting : grilles onotlie counters,” replied; counsel fpr-cMr .Youngs. MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT After giving his finding in the case of the inquest, Mr Hunt said there was no need for him to traverse tlie evidence at length. I here\were -two cases of homicide, culpable and nonctilpable. ‘‘l am quite satisfied .that the case hasi been investigated fully and properly,” lie said. “Irani satisfied that Youngs and knocked unconscious:- He did not know what lie was -doing- : . whenlie fired the shots. A . most,-f ir md vesigatiou has been made and it need go no further.” / The Magistrate then discharged Mr Youngs.