AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1925, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION EIGHT WITH ALLIGATOR. SYDNEY. April 8. News of a thrilling fight between an alligator and an aboriginal lias come to band from the Katherine river district in the Northern Territory, where the beasts have been particularly daring and vbioiis during the present “wet ” season. They have killed or mutilated many horses and tattle, and recently a couple of aboriginals, assisting to remove horses from a paddock, were attacked and narrowly escaped barm.. Early in February accounts were received of a terrible struggle between an alligator and a raiehor-.e. Comet. "I'itli. with an unarmed mao helplessly watching from the river bank, put up a terrific struggle for its life. liuL was inexorably drawn down into the hlooilreddem'd water by its powerful opponent. It is believed that this same venturesome beast was the participant in the battle with the aboriginal, but it met with less success against a mere man than it did against the horse. A white drover, accompanied by an aboriginal and the bitter's large cattle dog. was overlanding with a herd ol cattle from Western Queensland to the meat works at Darwin. One night last, week, they camped on the banks of the I Katherine, and ilist before dusk went ! down to the river for water. They were intent upon this work, when an alligator flashed out of the water and, seizing the dog by a front leg, dragged it into the liver. Without the slightest hesitation, the aboriginal dived in to rescue his dog. Man, dog, and alligator disappeared under the water. A thin - streak of blood and agitated water gave evidence of the fearful struggle proceeding under the surface. To the waiting, helpless and unnerved white man on the river bank, the time seemed interminable before the three rose to the surface again, but probably it was less than a minute. When they did, an amazing sight met bis eyes. The alligator still held the yelping dog. which was vainly trying to turn upon its tough-skinned attacker. Astride the alligator, as il lie were riding a horse, was the aboriginal, pressing his thumbs into the creature’s eyes. Just a brief glimpse the white man had of this, and the three disappeared again. Then the dog came to the surface and strain ashore, minus one leg. Shortly afterwards the aboriginal appeared, and safely lauded oil the river bank, lie was unharmed and apparently none the worse lor his fierce encounter. It was noticed that the alligator had lost a front leg, and was also badly scarred about the fore quarters. From, this evidence, it was adduced that it was the same beast which had draggegd the racehorse under a, couple of months ago.

MARAMA STILL HELD UP. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 18. There is no change in the Mamma’s position. The members of the crew of the Yolumiiin, assisted by returned soldiers, commenced painting and dot-king the vessel. _ . It is understood Sir John Quick visited the dock and inspected the Yolumnia. A HIGHWAY ROBBERY. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.j SYDNEY, April 18. After asking a taxi-driver to take him to Condol’d, "a man when they reached a lonely spot forced the driver to pass liis money over and get out of the car. After questioning the driver closely regarding the working, of the gears the bandit drove away in the direction of Btirwood. Shortly after a car similar to the one stolen drove up outside a grocer’s shop in a busy part of Burwood. The driver entered the shop and ordered the proprietor to hand over his takings. The proprietor ducked behind the counter and his wife coining on the scene commenced to scream. Many passers by rushed in. but the robber escaped in the confusion and drove off. The police of the night patrol Inter found the car abandoned in a by-way in Enfield. A vigorous search was prosecuted, but no sign of the bandit was discovered. PHOTOGRAPHS OF DETECTIVES. MELBOURNE, April 17. The Chief Secretary has dec-ided to prohibit the publication of the photographs of detectives in the newspapers, as lie contends it helps criminals to elude the detectives. G ATE KE KI Mi R’ S GRA V E 51TSDEEI). (Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 17. At the inquest in connection with the level crossing smash at Highett on March 26th., the Coroner committed Ecesiiggiin. the gatekeeper, for trial, on a chnlfto of manslaughter, stating the accident- was caused by his criminal neglect.