SHOCKING TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1932, Page 5

SHOCKING TRAGEDY

YOUNG MAN SHOT

POLICE SEARCH FOR BROTHER

(Per Press Association, Copyright.)

FOXTON, November 23,

A shocking-shooting tragedy occurred on a lurm oh-'the Foxton-Levin highway near Foxton last evening. During the course of milking operations carried out by R,. Easton and his two sons, an argument occurred between tile boys. Roy, aged sixteen, left the shed, and shortly -after the father heard the report of a, gun, and’ looking round, saw hiis eldest son, Jack, a single man, aged twenty get up from the seat and stagger to the fence where he collapsed. He died within ten minutes from gunshot wounds in the chest. A single barrel shot gun and a discharged cartridge, belonging to the house were found near the cowbail.

The police are searching for the younger son who has disappeared.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. FOXTON, November 23. The victim of the shooting tragedy is a well known popular young Foxton resident. He visited Levin during the day, while his father and brother were working at Waiterere, All returned home in time for milking.

Towards the end of operations a dispute arose between the boys, the younger leaving the cowbail. The father and deceased resumed milking, and shortly after the father heard a shot fired near at- hand and looked up and saw his eldest son stagger from his stool and collapse against a fence, while the younger boy was seen running towards some bush on the property. The father rushed to a neighbour and phoned for a doctor and the police, but Jack Easton died within ten minutes from a gunshot wound in the chest. A single barrel shot gun with a discharged cartridge belonging to the house was picked up alongside the cowbails, twenty yards from the body.

The police are searching for the missing boy, wlm was reported to be in the vicinity of Motuiti, three miles north of Foxton late last night. The missing lad lost on® eye in an 'accident as a child. The family have been on the farm for only three months.