Thu, Apr 22, 1971
Cathie Prentice Returns to Matlock with a 4-day-old illegitimate baby which was born in Melbourne to save the reputation of the. Her intentions was to try and marry the father, Ray Turner, but he has since become engaged to a wealthy grazers daughter. Then a shy Brian Woods arrives in Matlock and seeks the help of the police in finding Cathie, as her departure from the hospital was most irregular. In her disturbed psychological state of mind, Cathie leaves the baby at a deserted farmhouse and goes in search of her former lover. The Matlock Police launch a desperate search to try and save her life and the life of her baby.
Thu, Apr 29, 1971
Gay Lincoln is a Matlock girl who has become a celebrity in Melbourne entertainment world. She returns to Matlock for a charity concert but before it starts, she receives a death threat. The Police are also kept busy with blackmail, attempt a brutal wife basher, and his son who has robbed a service station.
Thu, May 13, 1971
Ron and Sandy Fuller move to Matlock from the city to escape the embarrassment of a forced marriage due to pregnancy. When the arrival of Sandy's baby approaches, she wonders whether Ron will accept it, and at this crisis point they become involved with two men running from an armed-hold-up when they almost collide with their getaway car.
Thu, May 20, 1971
Stewie Hall has been caretaker of the Old Pioneer's Cemetery since the war. When the local council decides to evict old Stewi from the caretakers hut so that a reserve can be constructed there, the seek the assistance of the Matlock Police. Sgt. Kennedy faces danger when a mentally unstable Stewi arms himself with a rifle to keep the eviction party at bay.
Thu, Jun 17, 1971
Because her husband is frequently away, Nora McKellar feels trapped on their isolated farm, and her irrational behavior leads Det. Sgt. Madden to believe that she may need help. She tries to kill her husband when he agrees to have her committed to a psychiatric hospital. To complicate matters for the police, a fugitive from New South Wales carries out an armed robbery in Matlock.
Thu, Jun 24, 1971
Investigations of a large scale hijacking operation from transport trucks leads to a small time criminal 'Buttercup' Sands. At his home, shared with his de facto wife Edie, the police discover an autistic child, Monty who is confined to his room by a leg rope. His mother tells police it is the only way she can control him. The child also has a crippled leg which the mother believes is due to the child's autism, but a chiropractor, Tony Carboni, is convinced there is a spinal complaint later, the boy runs away and inadvertently helps police stumble on a vital clue when they have to rescue him from an abandoned mine shaft.
Thu, Jul 22, 1971
A Matlock youth, who has become the boyfriend of a motor cycle gang leader's old flame, is tortured and beaten by two youths from the gang. Police investigations lead to a youth centre run by Rev. King. Church members are not happy with the progressive means King uses at his meeting, but he gained the confidence of the young people. King's information leads police to the chase and capture of two bike-riding offenders.
Thu, Jul 1, 1971
The opening of the duck-shooting season brings trouble with stolen guns and out-of-hours drinking. The efforts of a self-styled protector of wildlife to thwart the activities of prospectors and duck shooters has disastrous results, and a young camper, Jenny Fisher, is held hostage by an escaping criminal.
Thu, Nov 25, 1971
Matlock police become involved with a domestic problem, racial trouble and personal tragedy when an itinerant Aboriginal worker returns to his wife Betty and son Marty after several years of chasing work, and a half-cast woman who, through ignorance, had mistreated her child and thereby provoked the bigots in the community to burn her house down.
Thu, Aug 19, 1971
A mysterious hermit, has lived in a shack outside Matlock for seven months. Suddenly, his past and present catch up with him, when he is terrorised by three local youths. When one is accidentally blinded, Chip Richardson burns down Herman's shack and later blames him for the accident. Herman takes off in panic and the police mount an intensive search for him.
Thu, Oct 7, 1971
An important businessman, Eric Schneider, wants to set up a deal with a Matlock company. However, when he is arrested for assaulting a young girl, public feelings rise up against Det. Curtis who may have made a serious mistake. Schneider, with his lawyer Harrison, puts his money and his pressure in the right places to beat the charge.
Thu, Oct 28, 1971
Ron Grey, an ex-Spitfire pilot embarks on a dubious mission as a courier to gain some quick money, because he only has a few years of active life lift - he is a chronic diabetic who keeps coma and semi-blindness at bay with insulin shots. While flying a light aircraft with his girlfriend Betty Holmes, the plane strikes trouble and they have to crash land in the Candowie Rangers. When the plane is found by a police search party, they discover that Gray and Holmes both fled into the bush.