MURDER AT FOXTON

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 760, 6 July 1909, Page 5

MURDER AT FOXTON

LAD SHOOTS HIS,FATHER. . A startling tragedy ooourred at Foxton at about one o'olook yesterday morning, when a deal and dumb lad, named Hedley Nye, aged about 19, son of Mr Thomas Nye, shot his father dead. A Sudden Act. Mr Nye was aroused by bearing his son, who oocqpies an npstairs room, owning downstairs. He met bis boh in the dining room on the ground floor. The lad had in his hands a gun belonging to his father, Bnd without warning he fired, shooting his father in the neck. Mrs Nye, aroused by the noise, oalled to her hasband, but receiving no reply she oalled to her two children, who oooupied an upstairs room, and telling them to fly, Bhe herself rushed from the house, evading her stepson, who tried to intercept her.

Hasty Flight.

Immediately after the orime the lad left the house. and the police haying been informed of the occuirence, he was traced to the Wirokino road, leading to Levin, it being, surmised that lie intended to make for Wellington.

Apprehended at Levin.

In. the oourse of the morning Constable Bargie, Levin, arrested young Nye at the Levin railway station. The constable wrote on a piece of paper that be was being arrested on a charge of murdering his father, and under this the youth wrote "Yes." Constable Bargie states that the .aconsed was very quiet and did not seem to realise the Seriousness of his act; > . • Aocnsed had the gun and cartridges in his possession when arrested. He was taken baok to Foxton at once.

An Anxious Time.

Mtb Nye, although pursuod by her step-soil acrogjj some paddooks, readied a neighbour's, who went baok and liberated the two children left in tlie home, who had barrioaded themselves in their room. He then communioated with the police.

Active Police Measures

Active measures were at once taken by the police to run the culprit to earth. At an early hour Constables Wood and Sweeney, ot Foxton, were on his track, and Constable Essen, of Shannon, and Detective Quirke arid Constable Barry, of Paimerston, were also despatched to help.

The Victim.

Tho late Mr Nye was the second Bon of the late Mr Geo. Nye, an old and.jateemed resident of Foxton. He had been married twice. Mr Geo. Nye was a well-known, authority, on engineering works, and having been connected lor about thirty years with the Public Works Department, he had been identified with nearly all the road and bridge building works in the early history of the district. Mr Thomas Nye had been engaged nearly all his lite in farming pursuits in Foxton. Mr Nye lived in the old home of his father "Snnnyside," whioh is situated about three miles from Foxton'on

the No. 2 liue. The late Mr Nye was greatly esteemed in Foxton, and widespread sympathy is folt for the family and relatives.

The Inquest

Sub-Inspector O'Donovan proceeded to Foxton yesterday afternoon, and the inquest will be held there to-d.ay.