SHOT FOUR PEOPLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17176, 5 February 1930, Page 2

SHOT FOUR PEOPLE

MAM WHO fcAtf AM6K mMMO »Y NATIVES \ (Ela&, Tel. CoMritfht—United Press Assa.l BRISBANE, Feb. 4. The man Who -rftft amok With a revolver on Palm Island is Stated to be R. H. Cntrie, Who had lived, on the islafcd for 12 years. According to information btought to the police by black boys, after shooting Ifr. Patorsortj medical officer in chft*gfl of the native hospital, and Mrs. Patterson, Who acted as matron, Currie set Me ,to the stores office and the superintendent and his assistant's quarters, wlikh were complotcly destroyed* 'fito burned a motor boat belonging to the settlement, and escaped in another craft to an adjacent island. With all their food supplies gone, the 000 aborigines resident on Palm Island were in sad straits, and the wounded officials' serious condition made the situation critical. A native ereW therefore undertook the hazardous journey .to the mainland, which Was safely accomplished despite heavy seas. The police have returned from Palm Island, with Dr. Patterson and his wife. The latter is able to walk. They had a terrifying experience. The police ascertained that Currie, after tunning amok, wont to Fatitorno Island, and killed his 20-year-old daughter and'his io»yiear-old son, and burned his home. Then, when returning to Palm Island, the natives shot !him deaci while landing. The bodies of the daughter and son were found in the ruins of their home. Currie was evidently greatly worried, over complaints Of Me treatment of the natives*