MALARIA VICTIM

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1935, Page 5

MALARIA VICTIM

CONSTABLE ON PATROL SEARCH FOR ESCAPED MURDERER DARWIN, July 24. Constable D. Woodcock, who was on patrol in the wild Port Keats area, seeking Minemara, an aboriginal murderer, who escaped from Fanny Bay Gaol, was brought back to Darwin in the mission lugger St. Francis, suffering from Malaria fever. 1 His companion, Constable Langdon, was about to set off in swampy country after Minemara had been located, but Woodcock’s condition became so bad that he decided not to risk taking him •farther. Woodcock left Darwin two months ago to join Constable Langdon at Timber Creek police station, in the Victoria River country. Both constables left on patrol with 21 horses and nine mules into the Port Keats area, taking five black trackers. After travelling for two weeks. Woodcock contracted malaria, which is bad in that area. His attacks of fever were intermittent until the patrol reached Port Keats.

After questioning aborigines. Langdcn learned that Minemara was with tribesmen at Point Blaze, to the northeast. Minemara was one of the band of the notorious Nemarluk, which murdered three of the Japanese crew of the lugger Ouida. He had been sentenced to life imprisonment, but escaped from Fanny Bay six months ago, ■ On July 13 Langdon left Port Keats for Point Blaze, but, after travelling 12 miles, Woodcock's condition became

■ On July 13 Langdon left Port Keats for Point Blaze, but, after travelling 12 miles, Woodcock's condition became so bad that ho decided to send him back to (he Pori Kents mission to travel on the SI. Francis to Darwin. Langdon left with four trackers to attempt to arrest Minemara,

Woodcock's condition is not serious although he has lost much weight,