CHRISTCHURCH SHOOTING TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2582, 17 August 1909, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH SHOOTING TRAGEDY.

THE INQUEST. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 16. Before Mr. W. R. Haselden, coroner, an inquest was held touching the death of Mrs. Kathleen Crosbery, who was fatally shot by her son with a pea rifle. Detective Eade stated that he assisted Chief Detective Bishop to make inquiries. He -went to the house of Mr. Crosbery junr., in Manchester Street, and found the lad Thomas Crosbery there. In conversation, the lad saidhe had done housework in the morning preparing for his father’s dinner, and taken it to the Municipal Council Chambers, where his parent was working. He returned home, and had his dinner, washed up, 'and cleaned the stove. His mother then got up from bed, the time being between 1 and 2 o’clock in the arternoon. She sat on a chair in front of the kitchen fire, and growled at him for not cleaning the house, as she expected his married brother and wife on Sunday. She was also growling abo'ut his father having lost the deeds of his property. The lad said it was her usual manner to go on like that, and he did not take any notice of her. He went on cleaning the house, and when in the bedroom adjoining the kitchen he picked up the pea rifle (produced) and said,. “Mother, I’ll shoot you.” He put the rifle to his shoulder and ■nulled the trigger, the gun discharged, and the bullet lodged in his mother’s cheek. She said, “Tom, you’ve shot me.” and fell on to the floor He went for assistance. He explained that in the morning he had loaded the rifle for the purpose of shooting sparrows in the back yard. The sparrows flew* away, and he stood the rifle inside the bedroom door }< quite forgetful to extract the cartridge. He said that he had pointed the gun at his mother by way of a joke, and had quite forgotten that it was loaded. _ He said ho was not at all angry. The" boy was very much distressed, being nearly frantic with grief. Dr.. Hay, house physician at the hospital, said deceased was brought to the hospital at 1,45. p.m., in . a state of collapse. She had a wound on her right cheek, which had been bandaged up. She was given stimulants, hut died about an hour later. He examined tlie wound, which extended downwards and inwards for about six inches. There •was a sign of the bullet’s exit, and de_ceased was bleeding profusely. Death was due to hemorrhage, caused by the wound. At this stage the inquest was adjourned, on the application of Chief Detective Bishop, until Wednesday. Throughout the proceedings the lad, who ivas present, sobbed inconsolably, and appeared to be absolutely heartbroken, his pitiable plight arousing the sympathy of those present.