Story of the Crime.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 6 July 1909, Page 3

Story of the Crime.

with to keep a look out for the youth., It was surmised that he had taken the gun with him.

“Sunnyside,” the home of Mr and Mrs T. Nye, is well-known to local residents, and is still more so to a large circle of Mr and Mrs Nye’s friends. Any one who visited “Sunnyside” was received with the utmost hospitality, and the writer recalls many pleasant social hours spent there. On Wednesday afternoons and Sundays one was sure to find a number of townspeople assembled there, either to enjoy the pleasant surroundings or a stroll through the pretty clump of native bush. No one ever dreamt of associating the locality with the recent Hbrdble tragedy. The home was occupied by Mr and Mrs Nye, Hedley Mr Nye’s 19-year old son, Violet (17 years) and Mrs Nye’sson, Lionel BUrston (13). On Sunday evening, Hedley, who had been in a particularly genial mood during the day, retired to his room, situated on the landing.-of the staircase, which led - to the dining-room. At about 9,30 > o’clock Lionel retired to his room, which was also upstairs and he had to pass through Hedley’s room. At a later hour Violet retired. She also occupied an upstairs room. Mr and Mrs Nye occupied a front bedroom downV, stairs. SkOte before one o’clock on Monday? morning Mrs. Nye was partially aroused by her husband getting out of bed and lighting a candle, and after what appeared to be a few moments heard a crashing noise in the dining-room. She called to her husband, but on receiving no reply got up. She went into the passage and saw the prostrate form of her,husband in the dining-room. In the kitchen, which led out of the dining-room, she noticed Hedley looking in a drawer where cartridges had been kept. He had the gun in his hand. On seeing Mrs Nye he made after her. She ran out of the frontdoor. She screamed to her children to protect themselves. Hedley came out of the back door and went towards the gate in pursuit of Mrs Nye who, however, hid

An axe was found in the kitchen which was not there - when the family retired for the night, and a tew cartridges were also discovered, also one empty one. Hedley, who is reputed to be a fair athlete, made good time in reaching Levin. At 10.30 Constable Bagrie arrested the accused near Messrs Swainson and Bevan’s premises, opposite the railway station. When arrested Hedley had a shot gun and four cartridges in his possession, and when made acquainted with the nature of the charge laid against him was perfectly cool. Constable Bagrie wrote on a sheet of paper and showed to him the following “You are charged with murdering your father.” Without Betraying the least sign of ,emotion accused took the sheet and at the end of the written charge added the one word “Yes.” He was immediately afterwards handed over, to Constable Longbottom and taken back to Foxtou by the mail coach. When he arrived at the local locknip, shortly before 1 p.m. he presented a somewhat bedraggled appearance and showed signs of his fatigueing journey. He gavb no outward sign of realising the enormity of his crime and his face was wreathed in smiles as he recognised his uncle, (Mr A. Osborne), who brought him some comfortable clothing. He partook ,pf a hearty meal and has a pleasant smile for the police officials and others. At times he casts a suspicious and wandering glance, like a timid animal, at any new comer. He appreciated a cigarette and appeared to understand what his uncle said to him by the movement of the latter’s lips.

behind the pine trees and continned to call to her children who were upstairs. She then fled through the buSh to Mr A. Symons house, about aquarter.pt a mile distant, and gave the alarm. After' looking about for his mother Hedley re-entered the house and went upstairs to his room, sat- on the bed and commenced to re-load the single-barrel gun with which he had shot his fether. Lionel, now aroused, had the terrible experience of watching Hedley’s operations. He rushed past him and down stairs. Qn looking up the Stairs he saw Hedley pointing the gun at him and made a rush through the diningroom to the front sitting-room and stumbled over the prostrate- form of his father. He locked the door on the inside and then made his escape out of the window, clad only in his shirt, and fled to the Thorne of Mr Satherley about half-a-mile distant. In the meantime Violet had y locked herself in her room and was calling to her father for assistance. She watched Hedley out of the window, in the,clear moonlight, looking ,for Mrs .Nye. He was then only clad in ' his shirt. She again heard him ascend the stairs and dress himself. He then descended the stairs and she- heard

no more of huh, and. remained locked in her room, vainly calling to her father lor, assistance until Constable Woods and Dr. Adains ■ arrived. Her state of mind during? that awful period can > be better than .described. .Mr Fred Whibley, who Hve& near Mr Symons* residence lost no time, in commtmicating with a medical man and the police; Constable Woods and DrAdams " anglbd on the scene about 2 a.m. The nbuse was. life darkness and they heard Violet's appeals. They discovered the dead body of Mr Nye lying where had fallen in the dining-room, and searched the house for Hedley, bnt not finding went to Violet’s assistance and' ■ y escorted' her to Ihe jesfdeace of Mr Symons. A search was then made by Constables Woods and Sweeney and Messrs Langley and Whibley. They traced Healey's footprints onto the Whirokino ..road and then 'returned to the house. < In the laieantime the police at Devin and elsewhere hadqbeeu communicated’ -Jt I 'A. C ’ ’ . fltoJ