AUSTRALIAN CRIMES

Southland Times, Issue 19170, 14 February 1924, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CRIMES

SENSATIONAL HAPPENINGS BATSON ELUDES HIS PURSUERS A TERROR-STRICKEN DISTRICT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, February 13. (Received February 13, 10.15 p.m.) A detachment of police have left Sydney to help in the hunt for Batson, who fatally fired on a picnic party at Jingellic. A party of searchers who ‘swam the Murray river found Batson’s discarded clothes concealed on an island, also a plant of ammunition. Though Batson abandoned his rifle, he is still armed with a Browning revolver. He is also believed to have another rifle secreted in the scrub, where he is now roaming. The reason for his crossing to the Victorian side of the river is possibly because he is reported to have relations on that side. It would appear that Batson is out on a vendetta. During a visit to the Bryant residence, he said some people were seeking to do him an injury. He boasted he Had done for three, but had yet to get another man. Ho also stated that two shots, fired by the police while he was at Bryant’s place, passed through the sleeve of his coat. It is reported that the coat found bears out his statement. Later. The latest reports state that Batson is still eluding his pursuers. The police, continuing the search, found an empty whisky bottle, in which was a note purporting to be signed by Batson, stating that he intended to commit suicide, as he had taken a dose of cyanide. “It tastes lovely,” he wrote. “I left my rifle on the other side of the river.—Goodbye, mother dear.” Batson’s initials follow.