SHOOTING FATALITY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2510, 11 August 1888, Page 2

SHOOTING FATALITY.

, SAD DEATH CP MR T. W. WEATHERILL. 3 (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER). B The people of Rangiaohia were greatly * shocked to-day (Thursday) by the report of s the death of Mr Weatherill, one of our • oldest and most respected settlers, which J occurred at about 11 a.m. this mornt ing. It appears that deceased told his 3 son to yard a bullock for killing, which was 3 done. At 11 o'clock Mrs Weatherill heard the report of a gun, and 011 going to Mr Weathenll's bedroom found deceased lying on tho floor bleeding from a wound in the chest, the carbine lying beside him. Deceased had loaded it for the purpose of shooting the bullock when from some cause unknown it went off, the bullet entering the left breast, passing through the body and lodging in the ceiling. Deceased I intended taking two cartridges in case one k shot failed to kill the bullock, for besides 1 the empty case in the carbine, a full cartridge was found 011 the dressing table. ' Mr Weathrill returned from Cambridge the night before with his son and several ' others, where ho had been attending the 1 Hunt Club meeting. A friend of deceased's ' told me to-day, that he had never seen him 1 in better spirits than last night, and that he was greatly pleased at the fact of his ! horse having won a race. He was widely : known and respected for his genial disposi- ' tion. His pleasant face and kindly smile ' will be greatly missed by his large circle of friends, who sincerely sympathise with the family in their bereavement. Constable ! Jones, Dr. Pairman, and your reporter ; were soon at the scene of the accident, life [ of course, was extinct before we reached ' tho house, deceased having only lived a few minutes after the accident. Constable Jones made arrangements for an inquest 1 which will be held to-morrow morning before Mr Gresham, coroner,