Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), Wednesday 19 February 1930, page 1


PALM ISLAND TRAGEDY

CURRY HAD OBSESSION

HE WAS TO BE SUPERSEDED

AN OFFICER'S STATEMENT

Townsville (Q.), Sunday.

Mr. Gall, Under-Secretary of the department controlling aborigines, left yesterday for Palm Island settlement, accompanied by officers of the Public Works Department. His visit is to inquire into the action necessary to restore the island to its former state of efficiency.

Speaking of the recent tragedy, when three people lost their lives, and two were injured. Mr. Gall said:

"In my opinion Curry for some years had an obsession that he was to be superseded in his position. This idea first took definite shape when Mr. Hoffman was appointed assistant superintendent, and the position was accentuated when Dr. Patterson was appointed medical officer. Curry was most Impulsive. He would not toler-ate interference by anybody on the staff on Palm Island, and If they did interfere he was inclined to deal with them In a most summary way. Curry did very fine work on Palm Island, but, after all, that was his feelingthat everybody was ont to do him an injury. As a matter of fact, nothing was further from the truth. Nobody wanted to hurt him."

On the question of the shooting of the white superintendent by blacks, Mr. Gall refused to say anything at present.