Shocking Accident at Waikakahi.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 141, 14 December 1901, Page 3

Shocking Accident at Waikakahi.

o BOY SHOT DEAD. Late on Wednesday night word cattie to the Waimate police that Charles Tavendale, a bo) of 15 years of age, the son of Mr Taven-, dale, Waihao, had gone out shooting early that morning and had not been seen since. The night was so' dark that there was no possibility of doing any good by going out, but early next morning the police proceeded to the place and found that the boy's body had been discovered a quarter of a, mile from the houao in some scrub, and with a gunshot wound at the apex of the. right lung. The gun, of which one barrel was discharged, was fouud hunp up in soin ; gorse naar by. The death of deceased, who was a bright and popular young fellow, caused quite a sensation in the district around, and.great sympathy is felt for the parents and the remaining members of the family in their sad affliction.

THE INQUEST.

'An inquest was held at the house of deceased'9 parents, Waihao, on Friday morning before Mr W. Petit, J.P.' (Acting Coroner) and a jury consisting of Mgsscb Thomas Dwyer, James McCrossan, Joseph P. Corcoran, W. Simpson, John Fulloon, and James Fotheringiiam. Mr Dwyer was chosen as foreman.

Jnmes Tavendnle,father of deceased, said that on Wednesday morning at 6.35 he saw his son Charles seven chains from the houseloadirig his gun, but did not see which way he went. As lit* did not turn up for breakfast, he went and had a look round, but could not see him. -Then went to Mr Matheson's to see if he was there, but found they had n>t seen him. His son was ia the habit of going out shooting in the morning, but never stayed longer than an hour or an hour and a half. His son had not been in good health, and was subject to fainting lits and pains in the chest, so that when he did not come home witness was under the impression that he had taken one of these fits, and was very uneasy. Deceased was sixteen years of age and a native of the colony. The gun produced was the one he had on the morning of the 11th. Was present when the body was found. It waß lying on its back and blood was on the breast. On examination found a large hole in the right breast. Then took the body home. Found the gun, with one barrel discharged, hanging on a gorse* bush by one of the faammei'B and the trigger guard, and with the butt upwards. -Nbir.ar had found deceased in a faint outside,'but had seen him in one in the house, He had never met with a gun accident before. Jessie Tavendale, mother of de'eerised, said her sou Charles came to her bedroom about 25 minutes past six on Wednesday morning. She asked him to light the tire. He replied that it would take him too long. He then went away, but did not complain of being unwell. Alexander Hhephord, farmer,residing at Waihao, said th-it at 8 o'clock on the evening of the 11th he was informed that Charles Tavendale had been missiug from home since morning. Next morning about 8 a.m. he went with a number of other sesders tt) Mr Taveudale's to search for the -missing boy. They first searched the river, bur, found no trace of him, and then took the higher ground. VVitaesa saw a gun hanging on some gorse, which grew on a bank, and going up to it saw it was hanging by the trigger and one barrel was discharged. Pushed aside the gorae and found the body of the boy. Gave the alarm, and with the assistance of a number of others removed the body to his fatherVhouse. The gun producbd was the one hanging on the gorse bush near the body. James O'Hallorsn, police constable, sl'ationed at Waiinae. dipotedthat on the night of the 11th he was informed that a youug uaan named Charles Tavendale was missing from his father's home, Waiiiao. About six next morawitness left Waimate for the Waihao, and on, arriving there' was informed j ttfat;thei body was found. Examined it and found a gunshot wound on the: right breast. Could not see any other marks'. The "shot was in a slanting direction, and in his opinion death was instantaneous.

Without retiring the'jury returned a verdict " That deceased met bis death by a gunshot wound, how or by what means received there is no evidence to show."