"The inquest into the Blackmount tragedy on December 10, when Cecelia Rodger Turnbull and Barckley Mouat met their deaths, was concluded at Otautau today before the coroner, Mr R. C. Abernethy. Dr. W. B. Reekie, of Otautau, said he was called at 1.40 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, to Blackmount. He arrived there at 2.50, and in the front sitting room he found Cecelia Turnbull lying on the floor. A bullet had entered her left cheek an inch below the eye. She did not regain consciousness and died at 4.40 p.m. of the effects of the bullet wound. Witness examined the dead body of Mouat. There was a bullet wound in the middle of the forehead. “In both cases powder marks showed that the weapon had been held close to the skin, in my opinion within 2in,” said witness. Cyril Thomas Sherriff. sawmiller, of Tuatapere, said he had known Mouat all his life. Mouat went overseas early in 1940 and returned in July of last year. He was always of a quiet disposition, more so since his return. “On December 10,” witness added, “he asked me to take him to Blackmount in my car, and I agreed. When leaving about 9.30, Mouat threw a rucksack in the car. I did not see a rifle at any time. When we arrived at the station Mouat took the rucksack and left it at a fence near the house. We were invited in for a cup of tea. Cecelia came in and Mouat grinned at her and shook hands. She asked him to go and see her father, who was ill in bed. When witness was leaving to go home Mouat picked up the rucksack and walked toward the house. At no time had Mouat given an indication that he would do anything rash. Constable Skipworth said he found a rifle lying near the left side of Mouat’s body. There were three bullets in the magazine and a spent shell in the rifle. Another spent shell was found on the floor. The rifle was registered in Mouat’s name and was in excellent mechanical condition. On the evening of December 9, Cecelia Turnbull told him she was going to break off her engagement with Mouat because of his association with another woman. Subsequently she saw Mouat and on her return said she had not broken off the engagement. “This is a tragedy where apparently only two people knew the full facts, and these facts they have taken to the grave with them,” said the coroner. “That being so, it is hardly competent for anybody to do more than guess at the facts, and probably the least said the better. “From the evidence and from an early inspection of the scene of the tragedy I am satisfied that Cecelia Turnbull received her wound and died at the Blackmount Station on December 10, the cause of death being a wound in the head caused by a bullet from a rifle fired by Barckley Mouat. I am also satisfied that Mouat died at the same place, the cause of death being a bullet wound in the head, self-inflicted. Some reasons for the shooting appear in the evidence, but further than those bare facts I don’t think it is competent to go.”

[Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22535, 19 December 1944, Page 4]