THE PICNIC TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1924, Page 1

THE PICNIC TRAGEDY

iTJSTRALIAN AND N.Z- CABLE ASSOCIATION. BATSON’S NOTE A RUSE. SYDNEY, February It. The police regard the note from Batson, threatening suicide, as a clumsy ruse to block pursuit, although a constable found a bag of cyanide, known to be owned -by Batson with a portion of -lie poison taken out. A party found ‘•is clothes, rillc, revolver and ammunition. where he crossed the river. The fugitive is now unarmed, weak, and hungry and cannot elude capture much longer. Ai hen at Bryant's Batson told the gills lie fired at the picnickers ill a lit ot rage, hut it is apparent that lie is not demented, he having grievances, rial or imaginary, against several of He party. Batson also told the girls Hint he v. mid have embarked on a ‘bushranging career in RIRI, had not his mute, vitli whom he had made all nri iii.geineiits, turned him down. He elded that lie-had four thousand rounds c ammunition planted in the hills, and .-.aid he was sorry he wounded the two picnickers. He wanted to get two of the party, but did not indicate which two mem When Batson vas at Barber’s farm be told the buy that lie could have shot the party of police on the Victorian side of the river, but, lie waz tired, -ick and hungry, adding that if the worst came, lie would suicide. It is believed that he lots several other lifioA secreted in the hush. BATSON RETURNS WATCH. SYDNEY. Feb. IT. Batson gave, a whisky bottle with a note to a hoy .also returning him a watch which he had taken trorn Barber’s house. Although Batson tired shots Iron) the Victorian side ol the Murray, there D a. bonier .TO!) yards on each side of the adjoining States’ law ends. Therefore he is a New South Wales criminal. and will be banded over 0 caught. NO TRACE OE BATSON. /Received this day at 8 a.nr.) SYDNEY. Feb. If. Batson continues to elude bis pursuers and no traces have been found ol him since he gave the bottle containing the note to the boy.