FIGHT IN THE HILLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 114, 15 May 1924, Page 4

FIGHT IN THE HILLS.

CAVEMAN AND LOVER.

STRANGE COUNTRY AFFAIR.

GIRL USES IRON BAR.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, May 10.

Frederick Stephen Wells, of Bungonia, who was admitted to Goulburn Hospital on Tuesday night ac the result of a remarkable fight in the wild bush country, is said to be known as "The Stormy Petrel of Bungonia," and to hare been proud of the appellation. Inquiries that have been made since the affair establish that while he lived at Bungonia he spent most of his time prowling about the head waters of the Shoalhaven River, in the mountainous country, living Jike a. caveman, and often being absent from his lioinc for weeks at a time.

The first two" days following the wounding of Wells produced no coherent story of the attack, but the police have now" been able to piece together the following story. Clement Larkham and Mercy Evelyn Hockey, the two accused, have been able to obtain bail.

Wells, in his statement to the police, says that an altercation arose between him and Larkham, who was riding home through the bush after visiting his sweetheart, Miss Hockey. . Larkham alleges he struck Welle in defence with a hatchet he used for setting rabbit traps. The encounter occurred about 100 yards from the lonely bush cottage in the Windellima Ranges, where the girl lives with her mother and uncle.

Miss Hockey, who was etanding in the doorway after having farewelled her lover, heard angry voices raised in the thicket, and shouted to her mother, "He is doing for my boy."

She grasped a bar of iron used ac a poker, and rushing into the thicket came upon the two men. Believing that Wells had killed Larldiam she is alleged to have dealt him some heavy blows with the iron.

The amazing affray, which has set the district agog, is remarkable for the fact that two of the best known figures of that part of the country arc concerned.

Larkham, one of the accused, is a hunchback, and was born and bred in the same wild locality as the girl. They have been regarded as sweethearts for years, and though both are in poor circumstances they are highly spoken of in the district.

Wells is expected to be well enough to give evidence next Thursday.