MIDNIGHT ATTACK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 671, 3 April 1923, Page 6

MIDNIGHT ATTACK.

SLEEPING WOMAN STRUCK

HUSBAND SHOT IN BACK,

ROCKHAMPTON, March 17. A murderous attack was made at midnight on Sunday on the Bertram family at Woodlands, a farm on Plantation road, seven miles from Yeppoon. The farm is at the toot of the mountain ranges, and there are deep gorges covered with undergrowth on two sides. A pony and saddle were missed from the stable on Saturday night, Later the saddle was found attached to tho swag of a half-caste formerly employed on the farm, and tho pony, which had evidently been’ridden, was not far away. Only, a few days before a man called at the farm for work, and was displeased when ho did not get it. About midnight Mrs Elizabeth Bertram was dozing on the verandah, when she felt a severe blow on the temple. She was rendered unconscious. When she partly recovered she made an elfort to gel inside tho house and tell her husband. She said to him “Somebody knocked me out Her husband, Andrew Bertram, went out on the verandah and found a hat- belonging t 0 the half-caste, and also a revolver holster. . n . A stone fell on the roof, and Bertram lit a lantern, arid made a search. Bertram went into his office. As he was coming out a revolver shot rang out, and he tell through the doorway. He had been shot in the back by a bullet coming through the window of the office, WAITING IN THE DARK. The other members of the family, includthree children still in their teens, pul out all the lights, and closed the doors. The assailant was hoard walking around the house, beating a tatoo on the walls with the butt of a revolver. Ihe family spen t the four or live hours until day broke, frightened to move from the main room’in case their movements should give a duo to their whereabouts. In the dark the children tore up sheets and- bandaged their father’s wound as best thev could, wltile they also ministered to their mother, who was suffering from a large swelling on the temple. A man lias been arrested in connection with the affair.