Fatal Gun Accident at Waverley.

Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 130, 12 November 1884, Page 3

Fatal Gun Accident at Waverley.

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

Herald Correspondent. A fatal accident occurred at the rifle raugo here on Saturday lasty by^ which Richard Prouse, a "aejsji $£&s■> Pa tea, and a' member of th:^^i#i£ Light Horse, lost his life. • ajie?f»o^yy was broxight into town dirbc'tl); ■ after the accident. A eoronerVvinquesfc was held to-day (Monday;, before (X A. ( Wray, Esq., coroner. The jury being- empannelled, Mr Mason was chosen foreman. After viewing the body several witnesses were examined. The first called »vas William Giles, who deposed that he was/in the butt . with deceased when the fatal shot; was fired. About sixteen men took •part m the tiring, and commenced at the small taiget at . '.200 and 300 yards, these distances -'being 1 on the one range, both m6n atleiidod to the marking on the small tarjoreb.<fi Giles states. that on three separate occasions he warned deceased; and prevented him from rushing out to inspect the target before the danger signal had been recognised from the firing point, and states that he said, '* Why Prouse you will be shot," when Prouse replied, "Oh ! that's nothing." The next distance fired' from was 500 yds, and the marking was done from the same butt, the targets beinsf on each side of it, as the 1 first men fired their] number of shots at the 300 yard*) rang©, they went back to ! the .500' yards on the other range, and commenced firing there, Prouse acting as marker. On the 9th shot being tired [ the deceased complained that the t:irjjet was so dull that he could not distiuguish the hits, he however marked a bulls-eye on the dummy, but feeling still dissatisfied, took up the danger flag and went to the target without waiting to be recognised from the: firing point j he had jusb arrived there when the report was heard, and Giles hearing a thud looked round and saw deceased hit, and limping towards the butt, he went to his assistance and supported Mm, being under the impression that he was hit on the leg. The o« hers came running up from the firing points, and the deceased breathed his last a minute later, it was found that tKe bullet had entered the back I and made its exit above the navel, after which it struck the target. Trooper Matheson was at the 500 yards when the accident occurred, he was not firing, but Major McLean and Trooper Wall were ; they were lying down, filmg 1 alternately, McLean fired the 9th shot, and Wall the I.oth, with the fatal result. McLean was not looking at the target when Wall fired, but was adjusting his sight, as he was one of the next two to fire. His attention was drawn go the targel on hearing an exclamation from Wall, when he saw a man m front of it. He ran up with the others, and on reaching the target they found the wounded man still alive, but he died m a few minutes. Trooper Prouse, brother of the deceased, who was firing at the 300 yards range, stated that he saw a man run out to to the large target, when he and those with him ceased firing. They heard the report, and saw that the' man was hi*;. . They ran up to the target and found that he was dying. Sergeant-Major McLean was next examined. He was firing with Wall, and fired the 9th shot, which * was marked a bull's-eye. He then grot up, and was attending to the fixing oi a sight. When the shot was fired, he glanced at the target and saw what had occurred, and ran up with, the others. In reply to the Sergeant of Police, Sergeant-Major McLean said, he was acquainted with the Voluuteer regulations. He did not think it was necessary for a commissioned or non-commissioned officer to be m charge of the firing party, neither was it necessary for an officer to be m the butt. When the danger flag was shown from the butt, firing ceased at both firing points. He saw no danger flag after firing his last shot, which was marked as usual. Dr Croft gave evidence as to seeing the body on Saturday, which was of a technical form and character. Constable Lyster certified to having seen the body m the cottage adjoining the Commercial Hotel. The Coroner then summed up, saying that it was a most unfortunate aftair, but that he did not think blame could be attached to anyone. The above is the gist of an examination which lasted for four hours. The Coroner, sergeant of police, and jury, investigated the affair m all its, details, the marking* arrangements being partibularly scrutinised by the sergeant, the result however proved that neither carelessness nor neglect could be laid at the door of the troop. The unfortunate sufferer himself by neglecting ordinary precautions rushed into the jitws of death. It is the general opinion that ho thought that l 0 shots had been fired, (the arrangement being, that the target should, be wiped out after that number), the unfortunate occurence has cast a gloom over the whole district. The deceased leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his loss. Tt is reported that his life was insured for .£BOO. The remains were sent to Patea, where they will be interred 10-day, arrangements have been made for a military funeral. The widow and the orphans have the sincere sympathy of the whole district,