WITCH DOCTOR’S FEAT

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 455, 24 June 1937, Page 3

WITCH DOCTOR’S FEAT

CARRIED BOY 250 MILES Nine Months’ Journey Through Wilds Sydney, June 2. A leper aboriginal boy, who lost it he use of his feet, has been carried 250 miles, from the wilds of Caledon Bay, in the -far north, on the back of an old witch doctor. The journey occupied nine months. The old witch doctor left for Roper River with the boy on his back at the end of last winter, and carried him from waterhole to waterhole. They icamped at each waiterhole while the old man hunted and rested in preparation for the next stage of his trek. The leper’s name is Smiler, -and he is a member of the Ballamoona tribe. He worked for Constable Heathcock at Roper River ten years ago, and became much -attached to him. Faith in Constable. He returned to his tribe, where he discovered twelve months ago that he had contracted leprosy. He pleaded to be- taken to Constable Heathcock, who he was sure could cure him. Kansubina, the witch doctor, volunteered to cairry him to Roper River. During their slow nine-month trek Constable Heathcock tent, tobacco to tho witch doctor and his patient,

having been informed of their progress by natives. He was unaware until the old man sibaggered into Roper River, however, that the leper boy had been carried every mile of the journey.