THE MASSACRE AT API.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4121, 19 September 1883, Page 2

THE MASSACRE AT API.

Six Mon Killed by Savages.

Wi; take the following particulars of tho recent massacre by natives of Api from a telegram published at Brisbane:—The schooner Lavinia reached Api on August 24th, whereshe landed some return islanders. Next day, in compliance with a request by tbe Apinns, Captain Smitb sent a boat ashore. Tho Lavinia, at this time, was lying half a mile oil. Some timo afterwards, hearing shots fired, thecaptain instantly sent another boat near the shore, which picked up throe of the first boat's crew, who bad swum off to tho ship when tho attack was made. Tho crew at once went to recover the first boat, in which they found the second mate still alive, but dangerously tomahawked ; also the Governmont agent, Mr Stedman, quite dead, who had been terribly mutilated. All living and dead were taken back to the vessel again. A second party then went ashore, whore thoy found one of the first boat's crew dead, and near him a tradebox empty. The murderers had evidently committed the savage deed for the sake of plunder, as they had stripped the body of the mate and the Government agent of nearly everything. A telegram has been received by tho Queensland Government with reference to this massacre, which states that tho second mate, tho Government agent, nnd four of the boat's crew were killed.