Desert Drama

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 7

Desert Drama

DINGO TRAPPER KILLED. PIERCE EIGHT WITH NATIVES. A tragic fight between natives and a white man in the desert, 100 miles east of Anna Plains pastoral station last October, was described at the recent inquest at Broome into the death of Daniel Joseph O ’Brien, dingo trapper. A native, Wogara, was committed for trial on a charge of murdering O’Brien. The evidence of natives was that a black named Lazzy rushed toward O’Brien with a knife and a waddy and that at two yards’ distance O’Brien shot Lazzy in the abdomen. Lazzy fell, but again rushed at O'Brien, and struck.him several times across the neck with his waddy, and closed with him. Struggling downhill, both came to their knees. When he felt he was mortally wounded Lazzy called to Wogara for help. Wogara, who had taken no part in the fight, picked up Lazzy’s spear and twice drove it downward into O'Brien ’3 chest, once on each side of his neck.

O’Brien released his rifle and stood up. Lazzy snatched .the weapon and smashed the stock on O’Brien’s head and when O’Brien fell Lazzy cut his throat with a sheath knife. After the fight Lazzy walked 300 yards to a tree, where he lay until he died next day.

Before the fight, it was stated; O’Brien had been out with two native boys, of whom Lazzy was the guardian. They ran short of water and were suffering badly from .thirst. On a camel O’Brien reached a native camp directed by smoke signals, which tho natives sent up in answer to his signals, but he was unable to speak, and the natives succoured him.

When 0 'Brien recovered he said that he had left two natives behind in the desert. When rescued they were nearly dead. The fatal quarrel was duo to Lazzy’s anger at O’Brien’s having left the natives behind in the desert.