THE FOXTON TRAGEDY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 556, 10 July 1909, Page 6

THE FOXTON TRAGEDY.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. tt'rom Oar Own Gorronpondont. Foxton, July 9. Tho ono subject of convocation for tho past wcok in Foxton has boon tho tragedy in which Thomaa Nyo, of this district, is alleged to havo boon shot by his son. On tho day of tho inquest,. which was hold on tho day of tho arrest, accused , was brought in from an adjoining. room to givo ovidenco. Ho scannod thoso present with a questioning glance and then smiled, and on ono or two occasions uttorcd a guttural laugh, but did not scom at all concornod, nor ovinco any nervousness. Tho Coroner, and officials were puzzled to know how to swear,him, and his undo took a seat next to him and tried to

make; him understand by; saying ..that God would be very'angfy'if he.told aTie. He appeared puzzled, and then smiled. The question waa written: "Do,.you^understand the nature of an oath?"; .andhe; wrote underneath, "Yes." It 'was ,thon written T "Will you swear to tell the truth?", and .he, again smiled' and wrote ': "I 'do not think ,of, it." The nost : questwn waa: "Doiyou know your father is dead ?" '■ He nodded and, .wrote: "Yes." '' Again the' Coroner wrote: "Do you know how'he died?" Mr;. Moore then aesj^ed'that' he should/be informed, that he need not answer any questions'whioh would; incriminate himself, and'the'Coroner wrote "You,are not compelled to' answer questions' that will bring you ' into trouble. Write whether you wish to answer it." He seemed confused, and gazed.' around, 1 with:. a'. puzzled' expression, and then wrote:-"The shot went through , tne, .heart . and . head ; and . died .. in-, stantly." : Another, question asked was,: "Why did you go to Levin?"and. he'wrote: "I go to tovin 'so tho -policenlah not find .me the way;". He then - . When arrested; accused had' in; his possession,a cheque.for, £110 si 4d.j four cartridges, a small memorandum booki. and'his'.father's' single-barrel; shot-gun. : '' It is understood Messrs.; O'Regan and ;Dix, of Wellington,; have the case in land ? for the defence, and that Mr.' Wilford has b^fen 1 retained as counsel on the, lad's behalf. The trial is'., likely to bo' Bomewhat' protracted, from , tie- fact that the ' accused l can. only 'answer'.written questions, to.,,whichhe ffiust' reply, by .written' answers;.. -/i '. The funeral of the late Mr. \ Thomas Nye took plaoe on Wednesday afternoon. Despite the', weather, the remains were followed to their resting-place 'by a large number of people, representative of, the town and. district.- 'The. pall-bearers included. Messrs. B. G. • Gower 0. Robinson, and;A. and'W'. Symons (old sohool-niates and. fellow-settlors of deceased),. , Lionel Burstqn,:dcoeased's : stop-son, waa alio in attendance. . The funeral service was oonducted.by the Uev. 'Gi K. 'Aitken.,