FOUND SHOT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1393, 17 September 1885, Page 3

FOUND SHOT.

Shortly after seven o’clock this (Wednesday) morning says the Ashburton Guardian, a man named Thomas Smith, lately employed in Church street, Hampstead, was found lying dead in a paddock adjoining his residence with a bullet wound through his head, and a revolver lying close to his hand. The deceased was a laborer, about 35 years of age, unmarried, and a brother of Mi Hugh Smith, a farmer, well known in the Wakanui district. The deceased was last seen alive about 9 o’clock last night by a man named Armstrong, who boarded with Idm, and slept in a cottage, his property, on (he opposite side of the road. Armstrong reports that the deceased then appeared in his usual health and spirits, anil that nothing in his conversation or manm r suggested that he contemplated suicide The body was discovered by Armstrong, who at once proceeded to the Police (Station, and gave information of the occurrence. On examining the body the police found £6 15s in cash and a letter from the South British Insurance Company, stating that the balance of money due to deceased under a fire policy would be paid at once. Mr Bullock, the local agent of the Company, states that it had been arranged that the deceased should call for the cheque this morning. The bullet which evidently caused the death of the unfortunate man was discharged into his mouth and passed out near his left ear. The revolver, found near the body, was purchased by deceased hvm Mr Salek last week, aud Armstrong says Smith at that time did? not even know how to load the weapon. Smith said he procured the revolver to shoot sparrows, and has since occasionally used it for that purpose. He was in easy circumstances, and had arranged to return to his brother’s farm, where he had been working for some lime, this morning.