MAN RUNS AMUR

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1930, Page 6

MAN RUNS AMUR

(Australian Press Association)

BRISBANE, Feb.,; 4

The man who ran amok with a revolver on Palm Island is stated to be It. H. Currie, who has lived on the island for twelve years, according to information brought to the police by black boys, after the shooting. Doctor Patterson, the medical officer, was in charge of the Native Hospital, and Mrs Patterson, who acted as matron. Currie set fire to the stores office, and to the superintendent’s and his assistant’s quarters,, which were completely destroyed. • He also burned a motor boat belonging to the Settlement, and then escaped in another craft to an adjacent island. With all of their food supplies gone, the nine hundred aborigines resident on Palm Island are in sad straits, and the wounded officials are in a serious condition. This made the situation critical.

A native crew, therefore, undertook the hazardous journey to the mainland, which was safely accomplished, despite heavy seas.

CURRIE SHOT.’ BY BLACKS

AFTER HE KILLS HIS CHILDREN

BRISBANE, Feb. 4

The police have returned from Palm Island with Dr Patterson and his wife. The latter is able to walk. They had a terrifying experience.

The police ascertained that Currie, after running amok, went to Fantome ■lsland, and then killed his 20-year-old daughter, and his ten-year-old son, and burned the home. Then, when he was •returning to Palm Island, some natives shot him dead while he was landing. The bodies of his daughter and son were found in the ruins of the home on the adjoining island.

Currie evidently was greatly worried over complaints of his treatment of the natives.