THE CLINTON TRAGEDY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Sunday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1739, 28 August 1883, Page 2

THE CLINTON TRAGEDY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Sunday.

Dr Lowe, of Clinton, has made a post mortem examination of the body of the fireman Henderson. A large quantity of shots was found in the body. Two pellctd penetrated the heart, the right lung and the left lung. The engine has been examined and one pellet only is found to havestruck thetender. On Saturday, an uncle of the lads visited them in the police station at Clinton, and the two younger brothers cried bitterly during the interview. James, the eldest, does not appear to realise the giavity of the situation. The lads still persist that they meant no harm, that they thought they had drawn the charges, and that therefore tlie guns were unloaded. Detective Hendeison, before he arrested the lads, had a statement from them separately, and these tallied. The youngest, Alexander, is a boy who uever, or hardly ever, fired a gun before It waa the eldest and youngest who fired. James, the eldest, said ;—" We agreed to fire together. The train Was passing and Ahck Hied, and then I fired." Neither of them admit that they fired at the train, their word? being, " the train was passing and we fired." Great sympathy is felt throughout the distiiet for the father. Mr Koy was a Presbyterian missionary stationed in Dunedin up till ISG6, since when he has resided at Waiauna, where frequently he has conducted i the rervice3. He is universally esteemed and respeoted. Dr Smith, Coroner "will hold an inquest to-morrow.

The Inquest. Duxedix, Last Night. The inquest in connection with the recent shooting case at Clinton, was opened there to-day, before Dr Smith, coroner. Mr Denniston watched the case on behalf of the lads Roy. The conclusion of the proceedings is not to hand, but the principal evidence was that given by the engine-driver, Peter Dunn, and Detective Henderson. Dunn said when about three miles from Clinton, as near aa he could guess, and .when passing through a cutting*' about a mile from Wairuna, he heard a report, and, turning round, exclaimed " what's that !" Decoased, seeming to be of the same mind, turned round to look. Witness saw a flash of light, and, before they could realise what was the matter, a second shot. Witness saw the flash of this also, and heard the sound of a trimmer dropping. After the second shot deceased put his right hand to his left breast, and exclaimed "Oh !" three times. As he did so he tried to make his way over to witness, and exclaimed 11 Oh ! Peter, I'm shot." Witness said, "No, you can't be," but deceased fell into his arms. Deceased was found to be dead when they returned to Clinton. The second shot followed about three seconds after the first. Detective Henderson detailed his interview with the boys before the arrest. He saw James and John Eoy ridingijf through a paddock in a cart. He told them to stop, and called John on one side, leaving Constable Wilson to talk to James. Witness asked John if he had been out with a gun on the previous night. He said he had been out rabbit* ing with James, who had a gun too. Witness then asked if they had fired, and he replied, " Yes, at rabbits." Witness asked if they had been on the railway line near Wairuna at about 10 p.m., and he replied "Yes." . Witness asked if they had fired any shots about there, and he replied, "No, it was my brother Alexander. He fired off my gun." Witness asked if he siw the train while there, and he said yes, one passed just at the time. Witness and John were just then joined by James and Alex« ander. Witness asked John if he saw the tram pull up, and he replied yes, but we did not know that there was anything wrong. Asked James if he thought there was anything the matter, and James replied, "Perhaps there is something wrong with the steampipe." After this occurred we loaded the guns, and came back along . the line for some distance, and cut through the town to go home. Witness told them that they would have to go to Clinton on a charge of committing the • deed by which the deceased (John Henderson) lost his life. John said^i " Well, we did not intend to hurt anyfl^ one. We did not know there was a man shot till this morning at 10 o'clock." fle also said to Alexander " Didn't you, fire off my gun," and Alexander said "Yes." John said he did not know there was, any shot in his gun, anc] had drawn it before, and James also said that he did not know that there was any shot in his, gun th»t he fired, and then Alexander fired. , Witness then arrested James and Alexander, for ; shooting decea^d, and. John m% being «n.7* .w^rft 1 --' * f *•; '- , _,/*