A TRAGIC OCCURRENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1896, 29 October 1918, Page 3

A TRAGIC OCCURRENCE.

AT A WAP CXI CAMP. MAN SHOT DEAD. Palmerston X., Oet. 27. A tragic occurrence took place at Awapunl ambulance camp about 7 o’clock this morning. Bonner, an ollicer’s orderly, was handling a returned soldier’s automatic pistol in the Y.M.C.A. premises, when the weapon discharged, going through Bonner’s hand, severing one or two lingers, and striking Mr Vance, an elderly man, and camp secretary of the Y.M.C.A., in the right temple. Mr Vanec was taken to the hospital, and died about 4.30 to-day. Colonel Gabites, Camp Commandant, examined the automatic pistol, and found it had been loaded in three chambers. Bonner bad been instructed to clean up the ollieer’s gear, and was handling the weapon and casually conversing with Vance when the tragedy occurred. Mr Vance was a married man, his wife residing in Blenheim, and it is understood he had a sister residing at Bulls. He came to New Zealand from South Africa, and embarked in business in Blenheim. However, feeling a call for the work, he sold out his business and joined the Y.M.C.A., being first appointed to the Territorial camp at Wanganui last May, from which he was transferred to Awapuni. From the commandant down, both officers and men speak in the highest terms of Mr-Vance. They say that he was not only most sympathetic and obliging in the extreme, but that lie was a real live, broad-minded man, and through his efforts the camp was on an excellent fooling. It is understood that Mr Vance has two sons at the front.

The orderly Bonner, who wiis shot through the hand, is not in a serious condition. He hud been recently joined up, and is a married man, his wife residing in Wanganui. A military enquiry was held into the accident, and an inquest will he held bv the district coroner.