SAG AFFAIR AT PALMERSTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 22 August 1907, Page 3

SAG AFFAIR AT PALMERSTON.

Lad Shoots Himself. Palmerston, This Day. A very sad affair occurred at about half-past 7 o’clock yesternay morning, as the result of which a thirteen-year-old boy named Sydney Carson now lies in a precarious condition. It is reported that, fairly early this morning, young Carson had a dispute with his brother. This . apparently so preyed upon the boy’s mind that he went away to his room and shot himself. About the hour above mentioned his parents heard the sound of an explosion, and, rushing into his bedroom, found him lying across the bed with a bulletwound in his forehead. By bis side was lying a dangerous-looking though small pistol. At midday to-day the doctor in attendance stated that the boy was in a critical state, and that his recovery was doubtful. Carson died at 7 o’clock last, evening. The doctors state that even had he recovered he would have been paralj 7 sed right down one side, the bullet having lodged in a lobe of the brain. His relatives, it is understood, are loth to believe that he deliberately committed suicide, and consider that the affair must have been an accident. The inquest is being held to-day. Mr Carson says his son, who was of an excitable disposition, had for some time greatly desired to possess a pistol, because a boy friend of his had one. Yesterday b} 7 some means he got hold of one without his parents’ knowledge. His brother, however, knew of it, and jocularly accused him of firing it in a Chinaman’s shop, and said the police were after him. Mr Carson heard that his son had the fire-arm in his possession, and at once went to his room and told him he must give it up. The father then went to have breakfast, and almost immediately he heard the report.