BUSH BOY'S PLUCK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1923, Page 4

BUSH BOY'S PLUCK.

SYDNEY. Nov. 15. Thu story of a boy's pluck in a lonely part of the bush far from any other human habitation was revealed in it curious way last week. A party of I’arJiamentariuns were making their way by motor-ear to a distant settlement for the purpose of enquiring into a developmental object when, in a small (Tearing just off a rough track, they tame upon a small galvanised iron hut. Nobody passes a habitation in out-back Australia without stopping for a yarn with the lonely settlers, and the memories of such little interchanges form the subject of conversation for days in the little circles struggling away on their own to establish larms in the back country. So tin- parly pulled up aim

knocked at the door, ii was answered by a boy ot fourteen years why was very shy in the presence oi the strangers, but they soon gained bis confidence and they learned how for .sonic years the boy had been the only companion of Ins widow-oil father, a settler by the name of Mcl.cruoii. and together they had gradually increased their small herd of cattle and imp-rov-ed their farm till one day the father fell ill and the hoy lelched aid from the nearest neighbour, lorty miles away. All efforts to save him failed and the boy was left alone after a simple burial in the hush. He determined to carry on the work that he had done by the side of his father, and when the party went round te larm they found nothing neglected. Development had gone on to the utmost permiited by tin* strength of the boy working from daw'll till dark, and when asked why lie had not 101 l he seemed astonished and asked how lie could leave when there were cattle to be watered. In spite of the solitary life, relieved only by an o-.-eie-ioiial mailman and a much more occasional passer-by young MeLernon was bright ami cheerful and all around were evidence’s of lus resourcefulness in fanning on the work singleliamletl. The boy declined an offer m go on with the party because be could not leave without something being done lor the stock, but he was promised by members that something would be done lor him. So lie stayed on. ami the party on .caching IVrth, placed the circrmi-stam-es bt-foro an Association which exists for the encouragement and assistance ot settlers. Ihe upshot was that provision is lining made to enable the boy to realise his assets to tinbest advantage while Ins lot will be transferred to more pleasant places.