FIGHTING CROCODILES

Shannon News, 19 October 1926, Page 4

FIGHTING CROCODILES

QUEENSLAND WARFARE ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON. |A big crocodiles head is in the possession of the general manager for Queensland State stations, Mr. J. S. Barr ,who recently returned to Brisbane from a tour of inspection in Western and Northern Queensland, The head measures about threo feet in length and nearly two feet in width. The saurian was 17ft, 10in in length, and it is believed was 100 years old. The crocodile was speared recently by blacks in the Staaten River, in the Gulf country, on Gum Hole Station,' the property of Mr. W. Wombie. Mr. Wombie had reason to believe that the crocodile was responsible for the disappearance of many of his horses, and was not content until the creature had been captured. Mr. Barr stated that crocodiles are increasing in numbers in the North, where they infest river§ flowing into the Gulf of Carpentaria. In earlier days they were the main enemies of the blacks, who would periodically conduct campaigns for the destruction of their eggs. Dividing into two groups, one on each sidoiof the river, the blacks would travel the /Whoje course of the river, tracing the tracks of the crocodiles to their nests, about 100 yards from the water, where they would find and destroy as many as 100 eggs at a time. Mr. McCawley, the manager of Van Rook station, recently destroyed 70 eggs, which he found in one nest.

told that the crocodiles were destroying large numbers of sheep. When in the water the crocodile defies detection. All that is exposed are the tips of its nostrils, each about to size of sixpenny pieces, and when it moves there is hardly a ripple on the surface. The crocodile floats in this manner, and waits until it sees an animal approach the bank. As the .animal goes into the water to have a drink, the crocodile darts up, and with a swing of its powerful tail precipitates the animal into the water, where it is at the mercy of the saurian. A feat reminiscent of St. Geoi'go and the dragon recently was performed by Mr. W. P. Curr, the owner of Inkerman station, who, single-handed, killed a crocodile about 16ft in length. Mr. Curr was .approaching the Staaten River crossing, when he noticed a crocodile making tracks from one waterhole to another. • Driving up to the/ creature, Mr. Curr diverted it from its course. He was accomplished by several blacks, whom ho had in his employ, but he failed to induce them to help in the attack. Consequent- ( ly, armed with only a pick, ho attacked the saurian himself, and after teasing the creature for about three hours, brought it under his subjection, and then victoriously despatched it.