Casualties
BLENHEIM, May 14. A young married man, named Owen McHale, a crack footballer and a Marlborough corporation employee, was accidentally killed at Riverlands while out shooting last evening. He had loaded his gun, but failed to get a shot, and was strapping the weapon to his bicycle, when the charge exploded, lodging in deceased's groin. He never recovered consciousness, and died this morning. -Press, 15/5/1908.
DEATH OF MR. O. McHALE.
THE INQUEST.
An inquest was held at the Courthouse yesterday afternoon, before the Coroner (Mr T. Scott Smith, S.M.) and a jury, to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Owen McHale. The following jury were empanelled: — Messrs Geo. Patchett (foreman), J. Bartlett, A. McAllister, E. Thomas, J. Broadley, and J. Watkins.
The first witness called was Dr Bennett, who deposed that he was a qualified medical practitioner in Blenheim. On the 18th inst, at about 10 p.m., he received a call to Riverlands. He saw deceased lying on his back on the roadside between Blenheim and Riverlands. A young lad was with him. Deceased was suffering from a gun-shot wound in the lower part of the right abdomen, which had perforated the bowel in several places and had fractured the pelvis. Witness had him conveyed in his motor-car until they met the ambulance, when he was removed to the hospital. He communicated with Drs. Walker and Nairn, and they examined the sufferer under chloroform. Witness stitched up the perforations in the bowels, and removed many pieces of broken bone. At the bottom of the wound was also found the two wads of a cartridge. The wound, after further treatment, was stitched up and drained. There was no hope of his recovery after the first examination. Deceased died from the shock of the wound at ten o'clock the next morning. He never at any time lost consciousness, except when under chloroform. He was able clearly to explain how the accident happened. He said to witness: "I was getting on my bicycle, and held the gun by the muzzle, and it went off some way, and the contents lodged in my body. I did not know that the gun was loaded." Deceased further said that he had endeavoured to get a shot at a swan, but did not do so, and by mistake the cartridge had been left in the gun. He did not attribute blame to anyone.
In answer to the Coroner, Dr. Bennett said that the deceased must have received the discharge point-blank.
Frank McHale deposed that the deceased was his elder brother. Deceased was 24 years of age and a married man. On Wednesday afternoon the two of them were out shooting. They both carried guns and rode bicycles. They went down to Riverlands, and returning about half-past ten in the evening they met together at the bridge. They stood talking for about ten minutes. Witness was extracting a cartridge from his own, gun when it accidentally went off and shot his brother in the side. He shouted for help, his brother immediately falling. The lads Thorns and Earp came up, and witness rode his bicycle down to Mr Bell's place to telephone for a doctor. Dr. Bennett arrived soon afterwards. It was purely an-accident.
By the Coroner: Deceased was not being handed the gun when it went off. Deceased's statement made to the doctor was not quite correct. Witness was taking the cartridge from his own gun, when it went off. He could not say how the cartridge exploded. He was in the act of opening the breach at the time, but had not actually opened it.
Kenneth George Thorns deposed that he was employed at Riverlands. On the 13th inst. he was down by the second bridge at about a quarter-past ten in the evening. The boy Earp was with him. He saw deceased, who was riding his bicycle. Deceased said that he was going to meet his brother at the bridge. Shortly after they heard the report of a gun, followed by cries for help. They then saw some swans fly past at the same time. They ran to the spot and saw Frank McHale, who said, "Owen is shot." Deceased was lying on his back by the side of the load. Frank McHale immediately rode away on his bicycle to Mr Bell's. Earp put his coat over deceased. Deceased was able to speak, and asked whether the doctor was coming, but did not explain how the accident occurred. They stayed by him until the doctor came.
By the Foreman. All he heard deceased say to the doctor was to ask him if the wound was serious. This was all the evidence led, and the jury retired to consider their verdict.
On returning into Court the jury submitted the following verdict: — "That the deceased was accidentally shot, no blame being attachable to anyone." -Marlborough Express, 16/5/1908.
PERSONAL.
The remains of the late Mr Owen McHale were interred in the Omaka Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, when the cortege was followed by a very large number of relatives and friends of the deceased. The Hibernian Society, of which the deceased was a prominent member, were pallbearers, and representatives of the local football clubs attended to pay the last token of respect to their late comrade. Among the football representatives was Mr W. D. Draper, president of the Opawa Football Club, of which the late Mr McHale was a member. The Rev. Father O'Sullivan conducted the service at the church. -Marlborough Express, 18/5/1908.
SENIOR CUP (excerpt)
CENTRAL (8) v. OPAWA (0). The start of this match was delayed until half-past three, on account of the funeral of Mr Owen McHale, and the Opawa players wore a strip of white ribbon on their left arms in memory of their former half-back. Central, winning the toss, played with the wind behind them. -Marlborough Express, 18/5/1908.
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