New Constructor calling a base

Why is this not legal?

VB Code:

Private x as String
Private y as String
 
Public Sub New(ByVal strParam As String)
x = strParam
End Sub
 
Public Sub New(ByVal strParam As String, ByVal strParam2 As String)
Try
MyClass.New(strParam)
y = strParam2
Catch e as exception
....
End Try

I can't put the MyClass.New call inside of the Try block? (It works fine outside).

I don't know why but you can only call the BaseClass constructor from the first executable code line in the current class constructor. Kind of funky if you ask me but that is the way it is.

VB Code:

'works
Public Sub New(ByVal strParam As String, ByVal strParam2 As String)
  MyBase.New(strParam)
 
'works
Public Sub New(ByVal strParam As String, ByVal strParam2 As String)
'comment first since its non-executable
   MyBase.New(strParam)
 
'does not work
Public Sub New(ByVal strParam As String, ByVal strParam2 As String)
   Msgbox("Created") 'this is executable or whatever you want to call it so you can not call the base constructor after that
   MyBase.New(strParam)