DEATH OF MR.BUNNY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3738, 17 February 1891, Page 2

DEATH OF MR.BUNNY.

PoliQeXUport. ThtXnquQStIn his report to the head of tho police regarding the death of Mr Henry Bunny, Constable Smith, of Featherston, says:— "I was standing • at the police station gate and saw Mr Bunny (deceased), and Mr Butcher separate.or part company at tie Fox street railway oroßsing. man named John Barr, general dealer, of Featherston, was standing at the gate with me, and as deceased camel towards the police station gate, John Barr walked away. The deceased was walking slower than usual, was smoking a pipe, and carried a walking stiok in his left hand. He appeared to me Bomewuat paler than usual. When opposite to the police gate, and about four yards from me, deceased said " Good morning, Smith ; where shall I get the key of the Board offioe ?" . I replied by saluting the 'deceased, an'd said '• I will get it for you, sir," at the same time"moving towards the. Board office, situated about 100 yards from the police offioe. The deceased replied, I think now abruptly, " No, no, thank you, let me know where it is, I'll get it myself." I then told him the key. was hanging on a nail outside of the door 1 of Bourne's (the caretaker's cottage), whioh waa the centre one of the three buildings. The deceased went on, and'l walked after him, and saw him enter the gateway to the enolosure. Daniel Ryan and! then went to tho office. The key was in the outside of the look, I opened the door and found the deceased sitting in a chair quite dead and cold. Found breast of coat, vest, and shirt open, and a shot wound over the region of the heart (qn, left side.) I found a email fivechambered revolver lying ' on the outer side of his left foot on the floor, and on examination found two cartridges I should say recently—and two .cartridges intact. |I extracted the loaded cartridges, as well as the empties, from the ohambers. The deceased had evidently died witho*# a struggle, as he lay hack in the chair as if asleep. The body and legs hung in the usual comfortable position, as if aßleep, the arms to the full extent being by his side, the head thrown back, y v Death must . haye* been instantaneous. The chair in Which deceased was found was. within 18 inches of the table, on which wera deceased's hat, walking stick,. and pipe in case, and under tiie chaiijvas a pool of blood. A small spoir of blood was on the baokof the seat of the chair. Bourne's cottage, is about 20 yds from the Board office. Mr and Mrs Bourne were at home all day, and their, two children. They Btato they did not hear a shot or any noise* in the Board offioe." • The inquest on the late Mr Henry Bunny was held yesterday afternoon in the Featherston Town Board office, before Colonel Roberts, B,M„ coroner, and Messrs Cundy (foreman) Harper, Bale, Reynolds, Buokeridge, and A Donald, jurors. The ; following witnesses were called:—Messrs Smith and Butcher, Dr Bey, Constable Smith, and Mrs Balm. Tho witnesses having given their evidence, the following verdict was given: —•• That the deceased Henry Bunhjr came to his death by a Bhot fired front a revolver, inflicted by himself while in a state of temporary insanity."