Untitled

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13337, 28 March 1911, Page 7

The case of the aboriginal prisoner in the Northern Territory, who rescued from a flood" the policeman who had charge of him, was brought under the notice of the New South Wales Minister for External Affairs last week. The prisoner had been set at liberty as a recognition of bis act and it- was urged by a deputation that he should he also rewarded. Mr Batchelor promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Royal Humane Society, or to adopt other means of giving effect to tlie suggestion. The facts of this case are . Last month Trooper Johns was escorting four natives to Pine Crek, where they were to answer charges of raiding a fencers camp The Roper River was in flood. The natives, who were wearing chains in the customary fashion when in custody, swam the river in front of the policeman. Ihe officer was washed off his horse, and rendered unconscious by a kick from the animal when struggling in the water. One of the aboriginals wound his chains round his neck, and running down the bank, dashed into the torrest and brought the unconscious trooper to the shore, after a great struggle. The other three aboriginals were convicted of the charge against them, but the black who bad acted so bravely was discharged. ■