THE FOXTON TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14109, 10 July 1909, Page 6

THE FOXTON TRAGEDY.

ATTITUDE OF ACCUSED.

A CHAMPION ATHLETE.

[BY telegraph—own CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Friday. In its account of the inquest on the body of Thomas Nye, the victim of the Foxton tragedy, the Manawatu Evening Standard says: — Hedley Nye, the accused, was then brought in from an adjoining room to give evidence. He scanned those present with a questioning glance and then smiled, and on one or two occasions uttered a gutteral laugh, but did not seem at all concerned, nor evince any nervousness. ' The Coroner and officials were puzzled to "'know how to swear him, and his uncle took a seat next to him and tried to make him understand by saying that God would be very angry if he told a lie. He appeared puzzled, and then smiled. The question was written, "Do you understand the nature of an oath?" and he wrote underneath "Yes." It was then written, "Will you swear to tell the truth?" and he again smiled and wrote "I do not think of it." The next question was " Do you know your father is dead?" He nodded and smiled, and wrote " Yes." Again the Coroner wrote, "Do you know how he died?" Mr. Moore, who appeared for accused, then desired that he should be informed that he need not answer any questions which would incriminate himself, and the Coroner wrote, " You are not compelled to anewer questions that will bring you into trouble. Write whether you wish to answer it." Accused seemed confused and gazed around with a puzzled expression and then wrote, " The shot went through the heart and head and died instantly." Another question asked was, "Why did you go to Levin?" and he wrote, "I go to Levin so the policeman not find me the way." He then signed his name. When arrested Nye had in his possession a cheque for £1 10s 4d, four cartridges, a small memorandum book, and his father's single-barrelled shot gun. The accused is of spare build, and possesses rather a pleasant face. He is a deaf mute, and was born in Foxton.' At five years of age he was sent to the school for deaf mutes at Sumner, Christchurch, where he remained for about seven years. While at the institution ho is reported to have been of exemplary conduct, and to have shown marked intelligence in his studies, and was a favourite of the principal, Mr. Von Ascli. He was also the champion athlete of the school during his term there. On leaving the institution he came back to Foxton and took up his residence with his father at " Sunnyside." It is questionable whether he liked fanning pursuits, as on two or three occasions he decamped. He was very fond of reading light literature, and evinced a great fondness for animals. At times he became very moody.