AMY BOCK’S CHILDHOOD.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9442, 12 May 1909, Page 8

AMY BOCK’S CHILDHOOD.

SOME INTERESTING PARTICULARS. The scene of the genesis of the -career of Amy Bdck was in the township of Sale. Gippsland, Victoria, where she first saw the light of day 49 years ago. According to Mr J. O. Bryant, who was a schoolmate of Amy’s in that township (Mr Bryant’s father was master of the State school at that time), the girl at school was clever and popular, her , somewhat reserved manner, with her girl friends being counter-balanced by her fondnpss for hoy companions. She was not bold or boisterous in any sense, it was just a question of temperament. As she grew cider she became an accomplished pianist, and began teaching music when still a girl.J She excelled as a horsewoman when in her early teens, and with her brother rode to the honnds. A number of riding prizes were also secured by her at agnonltaral shows. Her father, with her assistance organised many entertainments for charity, and at them Amy made herself famous by the clever manner in which she took boy parts in character plays. Her mother was of weak intellect, .and suffered from the delusion that she was “Lady Macbeth,’* anci would stand at the gate leading to their home with a carving knife in her hand making all sorts of strange assertions as to bar “highposition.” Amy would always hurry her mother indoors, and appeared to have great power over her. Mr Bryant says he believes Mrs Bock was afterwards -committed to a mental hospital.