STONED BY BLACKS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 245, 6 January 1928, Page 13

STONED BY BLACKS

SERIOUS INJURY INFLICTED EUROPEAN AT SETTLEMENT In an encounter with some of the aborigines at Peakhurst, Frederick Booth, aged 35 years, a floorlayer, who resides near the aboriginal settlement at Sydney, had his skull fractured. Nearly nine hours elapsed before a doctor was notified of the fracas, and Booth was then found to be in a semi-conscious and serious condition. The matter was not reported to the police until some of the blacks went to Mortdale to collect their pensions. Booth is believed to have been stoned by two of the blacks, one a fullblooded aboriginal and the other a half-caste. The police believe that the trouble originated in the blacks resentment of what they believed was interference in their affairs by Booth. The actual assault occurred when the two blacks met Booth near his home, as they were returning to the capip partly under the influence of drink. The Mortdale police conducted inquiries at the camp, but learned that the two men thought to have been responsible for the assault were missin*'* They are believed to be hiding in”the bush round Saltpan Creek, but the police do not anticipate much difficulty in apprehending them. The aboriginal settlement comprises about eight huts, and is occupied by about 2S persons, including eight men and their wives and children. It is situated about three miles from Mortdale. and six from Hurstville on the edge of the scrub, and is little frequented by whites. Booth, who byes alone, and a couple of other whites who have holdings in tho vicinity, are the only ones that come much into touch with them. The police, who inspect the canlp regularly, and handle •the natives and pensions of the settlement, do their best to prevent the whites from going near the camp. It was stated by the Mortdale police that the aborigines do not give much trouble, except when drink is taken into the camp. They are stated to be addicted particularly to methylated spirits, and this habit leads to abuses. Auart from these occasions they keep Verv much to themselves, and live rhieflv on the rations and pensions alfovved them through the Aborigines Protection Board and the Federal surv A few of them gather gum tips and ferns in the season and sell them in the city.