DR. LEGGATT’S ACCIDENT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 279, 6 November 1884, Page 2

DR. LEGGATT’S ACCIDENT.

At an enquiry held touching the circumstances whereby Dr. Leggatt lost his hand:— Gunner Ross, having been duly cautioned said: —Firing commenced at about half-past five under the superintendence of Captain Leggatt, commanding the H Battery to to which I belong. Four of us were firing at the 500 yards range—lt was at the mound where the sawdust is—the 200 yards. I had fired three rounds myself in turn with the others. The first man had fired whilst the second man was getting ready, and I was getting ready to fire after him. I put my cartridge in and closed the breech, when I found the trigger was full cock, and was going to put it half when it jumped over the spring and went down, the carbine exploding. It seemed to be a very weak spring. When the carbine went off the bullet 'struck Captain Leggatt in the hand. I was standing close up to the mound, behind the mound, and Captain Leggatt was about three yards in front to the left. I was pointing my carbine down, but suppose it kicked up when it went off. My name was not called when I got ready to fire. I heard no instructions given not to load, and I did not know there was a rule to the effect not to put the breach down. I loaded just shortly before I fired in the three first shots, I believe. The Captain called out the name of each man as he was to

fire, and I was expecting my name to be ( called next, and that is why I loaded. I never fired at the butts before, but I have fired just when I have been out. The carbine I used was Corpl. Batchelor’s as mine was useless. Captain Leggatt told me to use this weapon (produced) while Corpl. Batchelor was marking. By Captain Rowlings : I joined H Battery <s a trained man, I think. I was supposed to be, but I was not. By Lieut. Topliss : I said there were four of us firing, but the whole squad was there. By Captain Rowlings : I was not cautioned by Gunner Wimsett not to load. By the President: I have never attended recruit drill. I did not consider myself a trained volunteer. Gunner H. Wimsett said that when Ross came on to the mound to fire his second round his carbine was already loaded, and Captain Leggatt then said to him, “ In future never charge your rifle until you come on to the mound to fire.” Immediately afterwards, witness told him “ Never put a cartridge into your carbine till you come on to the mound, and never close the breech until you are ready to fire,” and added that that was the regulation. Witness then fired and retired, and immediately afterwards heard a report, looked up and saw Ross holding his carbine out in front of him, and Captain Leggatt jumping about and crying out “ Oh, my Goa, I am ruined for life.” Gunner William Clark deposed that he heard Captain Leggatt say that no man was to load till he went to the mound to fire. He took that as a general order addressed to all.

Gunner Sadd described the accident, and in reply to Captain Webb said that he was an old volunteer of 20 years’ standing. He thought there was a want of method and regularity about the firing. He heard Wimsett speak to Ross about putting two cartridges in his rifle. Gunner Ross stated that he was totally deaf in the left ear and often failed to catch what was said to him. That, he supposed, was the reason why he did not hear Captain Leggatt or Gunner Wimsett. This closed the evidence which, together with the report, will be forwarded to the Defence Office.— Nelson 21ail,