The Inquest.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1234, 27 May 1880, Page 2

The Inquest.

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Richard Belby was held at the residence of his father, The Poplars, Hautapu, on Tuesday morning, before Dr Waddington, coroner, and the following jury : — Messrs Jas. Forrest (foreman), H. Norgrove, L. B. Ewen, W. Ewen, H. E. Cotton, J. Houghton, J. Campbell, J. MeFarland, J. Sharp, and — Thomas. The jury having viewed the body and the scene of the accident, the following evidence was taken :—: — Thomas Wells, sworn, said : I am a storekeeper, residing at Cambridge. I have seen the body of a person lying dead in this house, and recognise it as the body of Richard Selby. I was out shooting with deceased yesterday, the 24th, thb whole of the day. We were both on our way home, and had reached the home paddock, where the body was afterwards found. The deceased took a wider range of the paddock, whilst I went a shorter cut towards the house, and in that way got sepai'ated. Whilst in the orchard, about seven chains and a-half from the place where the body was found, I heard the reports of two barrels fired at short intervals, perhaps several seconds or half a minute between the reports. Following the report I heard two cries or "oooeeV which I took to be from some children close by. I took no further notice of the reports of the gun, under the impression that deceased was discharging his gun previous to returning home. I went into the stable and changed my coat after discharging my gun, by drawing off the shot and firing off the powder. As the deceased did not return I asked his little brother if Richard was in the habit of bringing up the cows; he said ''Yes," so I thought I would go on .and meet him. When I proceeded along the paddock a few steps I noticed that the dog was remaining in the same position as when the gun was fired. I went over to see what was keeping the dog there, supposing it had found game or &om .'thing. I went towards it and found the deceased lying upon his face at full length on the ground. To ascertain if he were only slightly injured, or J could help him in any way, I turned him over on his back and I found him dead. There was a lai'ge quantity of blood on the ground immediately underneath the body. His coat over the left breast was very much charred and torn, and in the left breast there was a very large hole. Deceased's double-barrelled gun lay about fifteen yards from the body. Both barrels were empty, the hammers down, and ramrod in its usual place. I noticed marks of blood between the gun and the body. I then went to fetch deceased's father who was on the farm a few hundred yards away. I told him what had happened, and we Avent to where the body Avas lying. Deceased's father, another gentlemen who Avas in the house, and myself then removed the body placed it upon a hurdle and a wheelbarrow and conveyed it to the room where it is iioav lying. Afterwards I left and drove to Cambridge, giving notice to the Coroner and police. By the Court : I believe the cry I heard proceeded from the deceased. It was about half past four in the afternoon when I heard the report of the gun. There was plenty of time between the reports for the deceased to have fired at a bird. The cry I heard was immediately after the second report. I had seen deceased aliA T e about five minutes previous to the report of the gun. The paddock is a level grass paddock free from any obstructions excepting* thistles. I have known deceased about two years, and on this day he was iv his usual state of health, and in good spirits. William fcelby, being sworn, said : I am a farmer, rending in Hautapu. The body of the dead boy is that of my third son. I had seen him alive about half - past one in the afternoon. I have heard the evidence of Mr Wells, and state that I found the body of my son lying doad in the. position stated by Mr Wells as the one in which he had placed it, viz., upon the back. It was about half- past four Avhen Mr "Wells came to me. I was ditching- in the adjoining field, about fifteen chains aAvay from where my son was lying. Mr Wells was then on his way home, but my son (the deceased) was not with him. I advised Mr Wells to go home, as he might get wet if he remained with me. Probably about five minutes after Mr TOte left me, I heard two re*

ports of a gun, about half a minute between each. I heard what I thought to bo two " cooees " coining from the same direction.. I thought nt the time my son was "cooing " to Mr Wells to show what he had got. Mr Wells came to tell me of the accident about ten minutes or so after I hrtd he.ird the repoit and as I was leaving ray work. The body of my son was remove!, as described by the previous witness, by myself, Mr Ho'-kin/y, and Mr Wells. One of my children, a boy about nine years old, told me he saw Mr Wells fire off his gun at the stable. By the Court : It is about five chain.3 and a half from the stable to where the body of my son wai lying. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of accidental death.