IN BUSH CLEARING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 7 October 1936, Page 13

IN BUSH CLEARING

STRANGE CORONER’S COURT MAX’S DEATH IX DESERT DARWIN, Sept. 27. In a small bush clearing on tiie banks of the Alligator River, on the fringe of Arnlieim Land, one of tin; strangest, coroner’s courts ever held in Australia will sit next week, to inquire into the death of Bert Combes, 44. a buffalo hunter, who recently perished from thirst some miles from file river. Guided by Combes’ mate, Edward Sawdy, from the river to Ihe scene of Combes’ death, the coroner will examine the body which still lies covered by a few boughs. The coroner, Dr. W. B. Kirkland, and Sergeant Koop left Darwin to-day in the small coastal vessel, Afaroubra, which is making the journey primarily to bring back a cargo of buffalo hides from the district.

The coroner will have to travel some miles inland through waterless, inhospitable country. II is probable he will be transported part of the way in a motor truck.

Evidence will be taken from Sawdy. who brought news of the tragedy to the police at Pine Creek, and from an aboriginal piccaninny, “Young Charlie,” who carried to Sawdy a billycan on which the dying man had scratched the dramatic message tolling - of his plight. FAITHFUL PICCANINNY According to the story gleaned from aboriginal companions of the dead man and told lo the police by Sawdy, Combes was travellingi with a horse-drawn lorry, converted from an old motor-car chassis, to transport buffalo hides to the river, when he ran short of water. With him were an aborigine and a piccaninny. After an unsuccessful search for water an argument ensued between Combes and the aborigine as to which direction they should take. They went separate ways, tlie piccaninny accompanying Combes. Weakened by fever. Combes was unable to reach water and decided to send the piccaninny back to camp for assistance. The piccaninny demurred against leaving his “bossun,” and only when Combes threatened to shoot him did lie set out.

The child parried a blackened billycan on which was feebly scratched : “Dried out. Can’t find ’ waler anywhere.” Then followed some unintelligible scrawl and the signature “]!crt.”

As Sawdy had no adequate receptacle for the transport of water he had to wait until a canteen was brought from a neighbouring camp before he could go to the assistance of his dying mate. When Sawdy arrived Combes was dead. Sawdy then travelled hundreds of miles overland, bringing news of the tragedy to Pine Creek and Darwin.