THE PEA RIFLE FATALITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 16 August 1909, Page 3

THE PEA RIFLE FATALITY.

/'MOTHER, I'LL SHOOT 'SOU!" DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS LOADED. By Telegrupn.—Pre» Association. Christchurch, August 14. Sir. Haselden, poroner, this morning, an inquest was held touching the death of Itrs. Kathleen Crosbery who was fatally slot by her son yesterday afternoon.

Detective Eade stated that he assisted Chief Detective Bishop to make inquiries He went to the house of Mr. Crosbery junr., in Manchester Street, and found the lad Thomas Crosbery there In conversation the lad ..aid he had done the housework in the morning prepared his father's dinner and taken it to the Municipal Council chambers, wuere nls parent was working. He returned home and. had to dinner, washed up, and cleaned the stove. His mother then got up from bed, the time heing between one and two o'clock in the afternoon. w£h~V n a J ° hair in front °f the tJtl f , tlle ' ,OU9<, > «*e expected his married brother with his wifc on Suntoy. She was also growling about hi, father having lost deeds of his property. The lad said it was her usual manner to go on like that and he did not take any notice of her. He went <,„ eleanin" the louse, and when in the bedroom adjoining the kiMien he picked ~„ the pea-rifle (produced) and said "Mother 111 shoot you." He put the rifle to his shoulder and pulled the trigger, the gun discharging and the bullet lodging in his mother's cheek. She' said " Tom youve shot me," and fell on the floor.' He went for assistance. He explained Wat in the morning he had loaded the nne for the purpose of shooting some sparrows in the backyard. The sparrows flew away, and he stood the rifle just inside the bedroom door, quite forgetting Jo extract the cartridge. He .said hi ,«ad pointed the.gim at his mother by yay of a joke, and had quite forgotten it was loaded. He had said he was not at all angry. The boy was very much distressed, being nearly frantic with grief.

Dr. Hayhouse, physician at the hospital, said the deceased was brought to the hospital at 2.45 p.m. in a state of collapse. She had a wound on her right » cheek, which had been bandaged up. She was given stimulants, but died about an hour later. He examined the wound, ■which extended downward and hward for about six inches. There was no sign of the bullet's exit, and deceased was bleeding profusely/ Death was due to hemorrhage caused by the wound. ■)_ At this stage the inquest was adjourned, on the application of Chief Defective Bishop, until Wednesday. Throughout the proceedings the lad, who was present, sobbed inconsolably and appeared to be absolutely heartbroken, his pitiable plight arousing the sympathy of those present.'