WRECKING A HOME.—William Herbert Pollard, a fitter of 132, King Street, Hammersmith, was charged with stealing clothes, belonging to his father, George Herbert Pollard, an engine driver, residing at Farm Villas, Dalling Road.—Detective-Sergeant Badcock said the father could not attend that day, as he was unable to leave his engine. On Friday night witness saw the prisoner in King Street, Hammersmith, and told him that he should take him into custody for stealing a suit of clothes and an overcoat from his father's house. He said, "I am sorry I took the things. I have pledged them. If you go to the lodging-house in King Street you will find the pawntickets beneath my bed." Witness went to the lodging-house and found two tickets relating to the property. It also appeared from the officer's statement that the prisoner had completely wrecked his father's home by taking things away during his absence.—Mr. Curtis-Bennett remanded the prisoner for the attendance of his father.

THE HAMMERSMITH SHOOTING FATALITY.

Mr. C. Luxmoore Drew, on Saturday night, held an inquiry at the Hammersmith Coroner's Court relative to the death of Frederick Pollard, aged 19 years, a carriage-cleaner, in the employ of the Metropolitan Railway Company, residing at 3, Farm Villas, Hammersmith.

At the opening of the proceedings the Coroner announced that he had communicated with the Treasury to have the man who caused the death of the deceased before them. By the Secretary of State's order he was in attendance.

Mr. Hanson appeared for the accused.

George Herbert Pollard, engine driver in the employ of the Metropolitan Railway Company, identified the body as that of his son.

By the Foreman—He knew that the deceased had a black-eye. He did not know what struck him.

John Stevens, a carriage-cleaner, of Wheatstone Road, Westbourne Park, said that the prisoner and deceased were fellow-workers at the Hammersmith Station. On Wednesday morning Pullen showed him a pistol. Later in the afternoon witness heard a pistol shot, and going to the guard's brake found Pullen holding the deceased on his knee, whiping [sic] the blood from his face. Witness said, "You have done a fine thing now." Pullen replied, "Yes, it went off by accident."

By the Coroner—The deceased could not speak. Pullen and the deceased were friends. A week ago they had a tiff, and witness struck him. They were friends since. Witness assisted Pullen in taking the deceased to the hospital.

Mr. J. Gillingham, line superintendent, gave both the young men good characters.

Harry Morgan, police inspector, said Pullen came to the station and gave himself up. He appeared very depressed.

By the jury—Pullen came voluntarily.

Mr. Ernest W. Lewis, house-surgeon at the West London Hospital, said deceased was admitted on Wednesday afternoon with a bullet wound in his left temple. He was unconscious. He expired soon afterwards. Witness had made a post-mortem examination, and found the bullet, produced, on the right side of the brain. Death was due to shock from the wound. The wound was not singed. The pistol was not fired at very close quarters.

William Pullen, the accused man, having been cautioned, elected to give evidence. He said he took the pistol to the works to sell to the deceased, who had offered to give 2s. 6d. for it. During the afternoon he was in the guard's brake showing the deceased how to use it. He put in a cartridge and cocked the trigger. They then went to go out of the carriage, when the deceased knocked his arm, whilst he had his finger on the trigger, and the pistol went off. The deceased fell, and witness picked him up, bathed his face, and called for help. They had always been good friends.

The jury retired, and, after some deliberation, returned a verdict of accidental death, with a rider condemning the use of firearms, and urging the necessity of legislation to restrict the use and sale of the same.

Pullen was taken out of court by two prison warders. He seemed deeply affected.