FIGHT FOR LIFE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 December 1925, Page 9

FIGHT FOR LIFE

POLICEMAN INJURED. ATTACKED BY PRISONERS. AN AMAZING ENCOUNTER, BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received Dec. 21, 12.30 p.m. PERTH, Dec. 21. The story of an amazing encounter between a constable, a blacktracker and a gin and six native prisoners which the constable was escorting, is contained in an official report received, by the Commissioner of Police. Constable Walter had the six blacks chained together, and with a gin and a tracker was taking them to Fitzroy, crossing from the Far North-West, While the constable had dismounted to adjust one of the packs on the horse, the natives made a concerted attack. Walter drew a revolver and fired into the group, but this did not deter the natives, who rushed at him, throwing stones and wielding sticks. Walter’s revolver jabbed after the second shot, and he was forced to retreat. Walter was receiving a bad handling when the gin and the tracker came /to his assistance. His strength was failo<r. but the constable managed to free his revolver, and shot one of the attackers in the stomach. The constable then collapsed. The remainder of the natives, frightened at the fate of their companion, surrendered were secured and chained to a tree. The native who was shot subsequently succumbed. The tracker, the gin and the constable were badly injured, but not dangerously.