FATAL GUN ACCIDENT MR GEORGE HAINES SHOT DEAD.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 249, 24 March 1888, Page 7

FATAL GUN ACCIDENT MR GEORGE HAINES SHOT DEAD.

This district has had a severe gloom thrown over ib, caused by a fatal accident which occurred yesterday. Mr George Haines, storekeeper, has recently leased! the orchard of Mr Thomas Coates, but was much annoyed by the ravages of wandering pigfc' Yesterday, in company with Mr Swallow, he went to tJio orchard for the purpose of gathering fruit, taking a double-band breech-loader gun with him in ca.se they should come across any pigs. On landing they saw a pig, and made chafe. Mr Haines fired, but the pig made off, Swallow going one way, and Haines another through the sciub, for the purpose of heading it. Swallow hays he henrd another shot fired, and Haines called out, ''Now we'll have him." Ho then saw Haines with gun uplifted, butt uppermost, as if he was in theact of striking the pig (although he could not bay for ceitain, as there was tome scrub between them). He then heard another discharge, and running up, found Haines lying on the ground, quite unconscious. He lifted his head, resting it on a tuft of rushes, and came to Pahi for help, obtaining which he returned, but Air Hainos was to all appearance dead. They brought the body over to Pahi, and in Dr. AJountaine's absence called in tho aid of Dr. Fisher, who pronounced life extinct. An inquest was held on Auguafc 20th, presided over by VV. \V. Ariell, Esq., J.P. and coroner, and evidence being taken, a veidict was returned oi " Accidental death. '' The funeral will take place tomorrow. Much sympathy ie felt for Mis Hainca and family. The deceased was a general favourite, on account of his kind and obliging disposition, and will be very much regretted.— ( Pahi correbpondent).