SNAKES IN THE GRASS.

Shannon News, 24 October 1923, Page 4

SNAKES IN THE GRASS.

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS AT KILLAEA.

It was suggested, in a cable message from London the other day, recording the number of sudden deaths that had lately taken place on English links, that golf was possibly too exciting a game for those who have passed the meridian, and especially for those with a tendency to heart trouble. Whether this be the case or not, it would be well for those who desire to avoid the risk of having undue excitement added to that which ordinarily thrills every player in a keen contest, to be warned by the very unpleasant experiences that befel two prominent city men on the Killara links, says the "Sydney looming Herald" recently, and to beware of snakes in the grass. Mr. McCorquodale, of the well known milling firm of McCorquodale Bros., and Mr. J. Thompson, solicitor, of Pitt Street, went to the links for a quiet game. They had only been playing about a quarter of an hour when thenadventure started. Mr. Thompson, who was slightly ahead of his companion, was getting into position for a fine drive along the fairway. He was so engrossed in the game that he did not notice a black snake, some 3ft or 4ft in length, that was basking in the sun in a little sand patch. He trod on the snake, and his foot pressed the reptile into' the soft sand. The reptile's head protruded from under his foot in such a position that it could not bite him. He

was blissfully unaware of his danger all the. time and only remembered afterwards that he felt a sensation of walking on to something "soft." His mind was till then entirely on his game, and he was oblivious of anything else till his companion came up. Mr. McOorquodale was horror-stricken, and so was Mr. Thompson when he grapsed the situation The snake wriggled and quivered. Mr. Thompson quivered also, but. put every ounce of. weight into the downward pressure, while, grasping Mr. McCorquodale 's extended arm, he prepared himself for a spring. It was, he said, "some spring '\ he did! The snake, thus released, made off. Mr. McCorquodale went in pursuit, and dispatched it with his mashie. Both were just recovering their breaths .when a small snake glided past,' and was also killed. By this time the two gentlemen had had enough excitement for the day, but their adventures had not finished. They were returning to ,the club-house, when a child's cries for help attracted their attention, and they hurried off' in the direction of a gully. Mr. McCorquodale tripped, and fell heavily and was badly bruised. It was found that the cries proceeded from a little boy named Cormack, who had been thrown from a pony and rather severely hurt. A motor-car was requisitioned, and the child sent to the hospital, where Mr. McCorquodale, limping back to the club-house, and Mr. Thompson, suffering from the effects of his own hairraising experiences, felt that they ought themselves to be treated.