ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9092, 11 March 1908, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Press Association. Christchurch, March 10. A rather peculiar shooting accident occurred at Oulverdcn on Sunday last. It appears that Walter Davidson, blacksmith, accompanied by two other men, was returning home in a gig after a day’s shooting. David sou had a double-barrelled gnu in his possession, the stock of which w;s resting on the floor of the vehicle, while the muzzle was loaning against his chest. Both barrels were fully loaded, but the hammers were down. Previous to starting on their homeward journey a dog, belonging to one of the party, had been placed under the seat, but he evidently did not enjoy the drive, and made frantic endeavours to escape. Whilst seeking freedom it is thought he must have placed one of his paws on the hammer of the gnu and pressed it back, not far enough to cock it, but sufficiently far enough to explode the cartridge, for suddenly the gun went off. The greater portion of the charge entered Davidson’s chest, while the remainder of the shot was scattered round his face and left ear. A doctor was summoned to attend to his injuries, and found that a small portion of the man’s chest had been blown away, but the wounds are not considered ~ to be of a very serious nature. Auckland, March 10. A man, apparently between 35 and 40 years of age, named E. S. Harris, who has been staying for the past five or six mouths at the Metropolitan Hotel, was found dead in bed this morning, when the housemaid entered his room with his morning tea. Dr King was immediately summoned, and .he expressed the opinion that there were suspicious evidences of death by poisoning. The deceased was last seen alive about 9.30 last night, when he retired. Harris is supposed to be a single man. with his relatives all living in England. He was apparently a man of either independent means, or supported by his people at Home, seeming to have no occupation. A letter found upon him, and addressed to a relative at Tunbridge Wells (England), referred in pessimistic terms to his own health, containing his opinion that his lungs were hopelessly affected, and that life promised little more than future suffering. Wellington, March 10.

Frederick Tucker, a driver. 37 years of age, who attempted suicide by throwing himself into the sea from the Taranaki street wharf, was remanded for one week for sentence.