The Railway Tragedy.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 224, 25 August 1883, Page 2

The Railway Tragedy.

THREE LADS ARRESTED ON ? ' SUSPICION. SUPPOSED TO BE A PIECE OF ; WANtOfN ; MlSOttlfiF. ■'• • : : ... ;. .... (by telegraph.) ' (united presß association ) ' ■ ,;.. DuNitoiN, This Day. ; Three boys, named James, (aged 1 9), John; ,(agadjlß)j ( and Alex., (aged 14), Boy, | sons of a well-known resident m Clinton, have been arrested m connection with the shooting of the fireman on the Clinton train. Further particulars of the affair show that No. 1 shot had been used. Both charges appear to have struck the unfortunate man. A quantity of shot entered his left breast, lacerating the muscles. The contents of the second shot appears to have taken effect lower down on the left side of the stomach. A piece, of paper and flute being found. . A suspicion was attached to the young Jttoys, and Detective Henderson arrested them. Their fatheri Jas. Roy, is a farmer and Justice, of- the Peace, and -a resU dent of about three*qu&rters of a mile from where the; tragedy occurred. Gh the boys being, questioned by the police, ;they were asked if any of them could play the flute, and they replied m the affirmative ; when asked where the instrument was, they said they, had lost, part of it-tfie -day before. On the remaining part being produced, it was found to fit the piece, which was picked up near the scene of the outrage. The boys were out rabbiting, and had " two Runs, a single and a doable barreled. It was admitted that James and Alex., discharged the guns simultaneously, while the engine was passing. The lads assert that they did not mean to harm any person, and were not' aware the guns were loaded with shot. Sir Boy was informed that he could come into Clinton, and see his sons. He said he had spoken to them often enough, and now they- : would have to go andi meet the consequences. On the way, both boys treated the matter cooly' whistling at times and- chatting m an unconcerned way i The reputation of tnp boys, is not at all ■■ bad, x although it is. admitted ; they are tt little wild . The whole affair has the appearance of heing a reckless and wanton piece' of mischief . Dr. Low says m his opinion one pellet of shot has entered the heart of J ohn Henderson l The viotitn of the tragedy was about S3 years of age; and has only' twelve months m the colony. He came from India when he worked 1 as enginedriver,- He resided at Inyercargill with % yougg wife to whom ha was married only 14 months ago. ■ Mrs Henderson is^near her confinement. The ; inquest is on Monday at one o'clock. ; John is charged; witu being accessory vo the fact.- ; t . '._'.,; ':" „ There is a general opinion here 'that the shots were fired, not at tne men on the eugine, but at the funnel, or some other part of the engine itself. There certainly seems no possible motive that could have inducad them to make a wilful attempt to l take life. That the lads should have been .out rabbiting at ihe time is inexplicable j as ie was evening and after dark. They left home at 6 o'clock and returned at 11 o'clock. .