THE NEERIM TRAGEDY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18443, 29 March 1922, Page 5

THE NEERIM TRAGEDY.

A DISTRESSING AFFAIR.

Received March 19, 12.30 a.m, MELBOURNE, March 28,

Maple died in hospital. When news of his position was received, the searchers closed in and discovered him behind a long log. Three attackers sprang forward, dropped over the other end of the log and called on Maple to surrender. The only reply was a shot. A fusilade was then poured in, only one snot taking effect owing to the dense bush. The boy, who, though only 15 i years of age, was six feet 'in height and weighed twelve stone, was placed in the reformatory by his parents as uncontrollable. He was a crack shot, and always associated with men instead of boys. His father, who is a farmer in the district, states that he was making for home, but was headed off by the searchers. Maple was armed with a pea-rifle, which, when found, had a cartridge jammed in the breach, thus explaining why he fired only one shot. Tne boy’s mother, who was in hospital part of the week, arrived home outside Neerim, overlooking the scene of the action,“he day before the final tragedy; She heard, although she could not see the firing which ended her son’s life. Woolstencroft, who was shot by Maple, is progressing towards recovery. (Maple and another boy, broke out of a reformatory and stole guns and ammunition. They fired at a farmer’s house, and subsequently were surrounded in the bush by police trackers and a party of armed settlers. Maple was shot between the eyes when the party tried to rush him. His companion, who was captured earlier, said Maple had told him he intended to outdo the most daring bushranger and did before being captured.)