SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT AT TE AWAMUTU. One of the Volunteer Cavalry Accidentally Shot by a Comrade. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1766, 30 October 1883, Page 2

SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT A T TE A WAMUTU. One of the Volunteer Cavalry Accidentally Shot by a Comrade. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Ay accident of a very painful natuie occurred «it the butts on Saturday at 12 noon, while some of tbo cavalry were engaged in pi ize tiring. Tiooper James Weal, juur., was acoidently shot by Tiooper Charles Alexander. It appears Weal came on the ground too late to take part in the firing, so lie went to the butts to lelieve the marker. When the men w ei e thing at the 400 y.uds range, one of the shots mi-sod the target, and, contrary to the usual custom, Weal c.une out of the butts to point out wheie the bullet went. Ju-t at that moment Alexander liied, and the bullet struck Weal noai the point of the shoulder, ciossing the body, and lodging, it is suppo^d, m the loft lung. Dr. Jilimden was immediately sent for, and hunied to the .spot, when 'ho had the wounded man caiuedtoLowU' hotel. Captain Rutherford — w ho was at home when the accident occuned—upon hearing a man was wounded, sent down.nn.ittiass, m> that by the time the doctor ai rived, everything was prepared for removing him; he was placed on a Inn die, and the men carried him in. Di. Blundon made a careful examination of the wound, but cannot determine the evict position of the bullet, though he is of opinion it i.s eithei lodged in the left lung or close to the side. He is convinced the lung i-> pierced. The poor lad now lies (1 p.m., Sunday) in a veiy ciitical state. No blame attaches to anyone, as none of the tioopeis saw him until he thicw up his anus on being shot. The poor follow who shot hinufeels his position \eiy acutely, though not the slightest blame attaches to him, noi can it b-5 s.ud he was caioles-*, for no one saw We.il in front of the t.uget, and he gave no signal that he w.i- coming out of tho butt. The greatest sympathy is expressed for Mr and Mis Weal. The poor lad was liked by everyone, foi he was veiy industiious and steady. I sincerely hope he will pull thiough. He has at all e\ents youth and a good constitution on his side. Major .Tackw)U was telegraphed for to Kihikihi. and huinod down heie, lemaining all night. ]«\ither Nobo.i was also telegraphed for, and ai lived at 11p.m. on ftatuiday night. The s,id occunence has cast a gloom ovci the place. Woalworoat the tune he was shot a daik coat and drab trousers, so that at siioh a distance as 400 yaids he could not wej| bu semi in front of tho target— even if he had been standing there for .some time. The d.iy was cloudy, which rendered it -till moie difficult to distinguish him at .such a distance. It is a remarkable coincidence that his fathei was wounded on the .same giound twelve years ago. Yixmuuv Mornixc;. Weal passed a bad night. I am afraid he is .sinking fast.

[)}Y TKT«i:<;n\i'H.] TR AWAMUi'U) YasteuUy Nnon. Woaldtod nb 11.30 n.m. to-tUv. Ah inquest will be hold to-morrow at 2 p.m.

[BY Tr.l.l.UHAl'll.-OWN COKUhM'ONOKNT.] At;i'KL\SD, Last Night. Supoiintendent Thomson i.s in lecoipt of a telegram fioni the consUl)lc at To Awanmtu in lofeience to the shooting of James Weil at the butts. He states that Lieut. Bruce was in cliaige of the firing party, and that no danger-flag-, woie used. Hhootuig at Uvg«t-i without tho'-o flajj-* is consiflorod a most dangerous practice at any time.