EATEN BY SNAKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18964, 11 March 1925, Page 12

EATEN BY SNAKE.

— ABORIGINAL CHILD'S FATE.! I GRUESOME AUSTRALIAN STORY, j j [from OUR OWN correspondent. ] I SYDNEY, Mar. S. j A gruesome story is related in one of j the Sydney newspapers by Mr. I>< Souef, j director of (ho Perth Zoo, nf tho devour- I ing of an aboriginal baby by a monster snake, in an out bark district of Western Australia. The reptile was 17ft. long. A tribe of blacks were roaming along the northern portion of the rabbit-proof fence, and decided to cr«nip on a rocky slope. The women of the party commenced to make camp while the men went, in search of food. The. children of the tribe were indulging in play, and one little toddler of 18 months rambled away from the others. Suddenly the party was horror-stricken to sea a huge .snake bearing the child away. The natives hastily called up their menfolk, and the track taken by the snake was followed. The track led to a large hole beneath a rock on the hi!! side. Judging, by the manner in which t!)e rocky entrance was worn ft was surmised that snakes had used the place as a nest for many years. The blacks immediately, became panic-stricken, and thought that a "debil rlebil" was among them. They made away from the spot with all speed. Some time later Mr. Alex. Crawford, State rabbit inspector, came along on a tour of inspection, and the natives acquainted him. of the presence of the huge snake.. In the hope of shooting the monster, Mr. Crawford took up a position near the hole with a gun, and waited for some days—but without success. Some days later another watcher shot the reptile. When measured it went 17ft. from head to tail. Upon opening it up tho remains of an 13 months' old child were found inside.