TRAGIC FATAL ACCIDENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3850, 27 September 1928, Page 2

TRAGIC FATAL ACCIDENT.

WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT THE VICTIM. SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD. Quite a gloom was cast over Foxton last evening when it became known that Mr. James Vernon (“Vern”) Robinson had met with a tragic and fatal accident on the sheep run at Himatangi (which ho managed on behalf of his mother), by the accidental discharge of a shot gun. The late Mr. Robinson was the second son of Mrs. and the late Mr. James H. Robinson of “Herrington,” Beach Road, Foxton, and was 34 years of age. He was educated locally and subsequently assisted and latterly managed the estate on behalf of his mother. “Vei’n” was popular in social circles and was esteemed for his high character. He took an active interest in the local Racing Club of which he was a steward. His tragically sudden death will be regretted by a large circle of friends and the sympathy of the public will go out to the bereaved mother and family. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. THE INQUEST. A eoronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of James Vernon Robinson Avas held in the local Courthouse this morning before Mr. Alf. Fraser, Coroner. John Cummerfield, shepherd, employed by Mrs. J. H. Robinson, gave evidence to the effect that he Avas working on the “run” at Himatangi yesterday and saw deceased first at 10.25 a.m. He Avas riding around tiie sheep. Witness suav deceased put his horse in the yard of the woolshed near the Avhare which Avit-. ness occupied, about 12 o’clock. That Avas the last occasion on which Avitness saAv deceased alive. When Avitness Avent to the Avhare shortly after he found deceased’s lunch bag hanging outside the building. Witness kept a shot-gun behind the door of his bedroom together Avith ammunition, but Avitness did not notice that the gun was missing. After lunch Avitness returned to his work and about 2 o’clock deceased’s dog came over to witness; a thing which it had never done before. Witness then, returned to the whare and after Avaiting there for awhile became uneasy. The dog in the meantime had disappeared again. On making a search Avitness found deceased about four chains from the Avhare Avith the dog lying alongside him. Deceased Avas quite dead Avhen discovered. Witness immediately Avent off for assistance, and later assisted in removing the body from the scene of the fatality. When deceased came out to the run in the morning deceased had mentioned that his uncle’s sheep had been, worried by dogs that morning, but never mentioned anything about going in search of them. Dogs had .worried sheep on deceased’s farm about a Aveek ago. In Avitness’ opinion deceased saw a dog and hurried back to the Avhare where he got the gun and Avas in search of the animal Avhen the accident occurred.

Dr. E. M. Wfyllie, medical practitioner, of Foxton and brother-in-law of deceased, said that in response to a telephone message about 3.50 p.m. yesterday he visited the scene of the fatality. The body was lying parallel to and about one yard away from the fence. The gun was lying beneath the legs. The left barrel of the gun was still cocked, but the other hammer was down. The top of deceased’s head was blown off and death must have been instantaneous. Deceased was wearing a large, heavy oil-skin coat fastened tightly, even across the knees as for riding. From the position of the body it was obvious that the accident was caused by deceased hipping when endeavouring to climb over the fence in the close-fasten-ed coat from the whare with the gun fully cocked. Witness knew deceased well, and for some years, to witness’s knowledge, he had not been in the habit of using fire arms. In witness’s opinion deceased must have seen a dog at his sheep and became excited. A strong >wynd was blowing at the time of the accident. Deceased was 34 years of age, and a single man. Constable Owen gave evidence as to visiting the scene of the fatality and removing the body to Foxton. Deceased was lying on the opposite side of the fence from Mr. Cummerfield’s whare. The body was lying on its left side and the shot gun was still grasped in the left hand under the legs. The right barrel contained an empty cartridge ease and the left barrel, fully cocked, contained a live cartridge. The gun had accidentally discharged when deceased was negotiating the fence. Witness had received complaints of sheep-worrying by dogs in the locality for some time and witness had no doubt that deceased took the gun for the purpose of destroying a worrying dog. The Coroner’s finding was to the effect that James Vernon Robinson met his death through the acciden r tal discharge of a gun carried by himself, while climbing over a fence.