DEMENTED MAN’S ACT

Southland Times, Issue 21000, 5 February 1930, Page 5

DEMENTED MAN’S ACT

DOCTOR AND HOSPITAL MATRON SHOT. Brisbane, February 4. Two black boys rowed from Palm Island, north of Townsville, to the mainland and reported that Dr Maitland Paterson had been shot in the thigh, and the matron of the hospital through the neck. Both were in a serious condition. An official who ’lost his wife recently and became demented is said to have been responsible for the shooting. The police and medical aid have been sent to the island. FOOD SUPPLIES GONE ABORIGINES IN SAD STRAITS. (Rec. 7.20 p.m.) Brisbane, February 4. The man who ran amok with a revolver on Palm Island is stated to be R. H. Currie who lived on the island for 12 years. According to information brought to the police by black boys, after the shooting of Doctor Patterson, medical officer in charge of the native hospital, and Mrs Patterson, who acted as matron, Currie set fire to the stores office, the superintendent’s and his assistants’ quarters which were completely’ destroyed. He burned a motor boat belonging to the settlement and escaped in another craft to an adjacent island. With all the food supplies gone, the 900 aborigines resident at Palm Island are in sad straits, and the wounded officials are in a serious condition. The native crew, therefore, undertook the hazardous journey’ to the mainland which was safely accomplished despite the heavy seas. TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE CURRIE SHOT BY NATIVES. (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) Brisbane, February’ 4. The police returned from Palm Island with Doctor Patterson and his wife. The latter was able to walk. They had a terrifying experience. The police ascertained that Currie, after running amok, went to Fantome Island and killed his 20 years old daughter and 10 years old son and burned his home. Then when returning to Palm Island, the natives shot him dead while landing. The bodies of the daughter and son were found in the ruins of the home on the adjoining island. Currie evidently’ was greatly worried over complaints of his treatment of the natives.