MR JOHN MORPHY’S DEATH.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4464, 18 September 1909, Page 2

MR JOHN MORPHY’S DEATH.

THE INQUEBT.

An inquiry was held on Thursday morning at Tamahere into the circumstauces surrounding the death of John Murphy, who was found shot in a gully near the Cambridge Hoad on Wednesday, before Mr Coroner Bond, and the following jury : J. B. Hooper (foreman). B. A. Andrews, M. Darke, W. H. Paul, H. W. J. Salmon and W. W. Dillicar. Mary Jane Murphy, wife of deceased, who was the first witness examined, stated that her husband, who was 51 years, of age, asked for the gun on the morning of the 15th, about 8 o’clock, saying that he was going out in the paddocks to “ have a shot.” Previous to going deceased told witness that he was going to Te Aroha by the 11 o’clock train, and asked that the buggy be in readiness. Did not see her husband alive after that. As it got near train time and deceased did not return witness, becoming anxious, went in search of him accompanied by her daughter, but could not find him. At 2 o’clock witness sent to her neighbours. Deceased, who had not been in very good health, was a patient of Dr. Brewis, and had also seen Dr. Douglas Deceased appeared to be in his usual spirits on 15th, and as far as witness knew had no trouble or financial difficulties. Subsequently Mr Delamore came brioging two men. In answer to further questions, witness said she was anxious about her husband’s absence and that he should have missed his appointment. He did not seem depressed about his illness, but was rather cheerful as Dr. Douglas had told him that he was much improved. Decaased had made a will above nine months ago and his life was insured, but witness could not say when the policy was taken out. In reply to the Foreman witness said that it was a common occurrence for deceased to go out shooting. The cartridges were in her husband’s possession.

Edward Clarence Delamore, a farmer residing at Tamahere, deposed that about 10 o’clock on the morning of the 15th. he met deceased’s daughter, who told him that her father had gone out to “ have a shot,” and as he had not returned they were anxious aboirt him. Witness was not asked to help look for deceased, but said he would keep a lookout. About 1 o’clock he again saw the daughter, who came to his house and said that her father had not returned and that her mother was much upset about his absence. Witness told her to go home and that he would get some men and make a search. He then sent two men to search from the top end of the gully and personally started from the lower end. After searching ,the gully on deceased’s property, witness crossed ove? on his own property, where he found deceased’s body about 2 chains inside the boundary. The body was lying on its face. Seeing that life was extinct witness did not examine the body but noticed the gun and hat lying near by ; then went into Hamilton and infouned the police. Did not know deceased intimately, but was on good terms with him. Could not say anything about his state of health. Did not disturb anything before going for the police. To the Foreman : Was engaged riding around the farm in the morning, but did not hear the report of a gun. Did not know that deceased frequently went out shooting, and had never seen him so engaged. A. S. Brewis, medical practitioner, of Hamilton, gave evidence as to having held a post mortem examination. Described the wound in the chest. In witnesses opinion death was due to injury to the heart from a gunshot wound. Would consider the mussle of the gun must have been within an inch or so of the breast when discharged, and the wound might have been either selfinflicted or accidental. Had been attending deceased who was depressed, previously, but did not inform him of the seiious nature of his complaint. Deceased chief worry appeared that his illness interfered with his work. He suffered from an ulcerated stomach.

William Berne, police constable, said that from information received, he, in company with Sergeant Hastie and Mr Delamore, examined the body at the spot where it had been found. The gun was lying about a yard from deceased feet. The left ban-el was loaded and the hammer down. Another cartridge was found on the body. In the opinion of witness, from the surrounding circumstances and the position of the body and the gun, the latter might have been discharged either ae identally or wilfully. This was all the evidence.