MASSACRES IS THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4529, 4 December 1884, Page 4

MASSACRES IS THE NEW HEBRIDES.

A White Trader Killed,

Information has been recoived of another outrage at tho New Hebrides, in which a white trader named Joseph Booth and two of his native boys were killed. On the afternoon of September 27, Booth was buying cocoanuts* from the natives at Port Stanloy (Mallicolo), when in the aot of stooping down he was struck in the back of the neck by a tomahawk, and killed instantaneously. The savages then attacked his "boys," killing two and wounding another, the latter, with a woman and another boy, escaping with their lives. They got away, and gave information of the massacre to Springfield, a partner of Booth's, who took them to Sahsoon Bay; and the Undine, arriving there on October 6th, left for Port Stanley, where it was learnt that the natives had plundered the huts of Booth, and fired several shots into Springfield's hut, thinking he was there, but did not attempt to get inside. All the " trade" had been carried off, nothing but the heap of cocoanuts, with the blood of the murdered men on them, and a dead dog and some pigs, being left. Tho bodies of Booth and the two natives were found by_ a trader named Hutton, who accompanied the Undine party in their steam cutter, lying on some rocks, and they were buried. From inquiries made it appeared evident that tho murders were committed bynatives of the villages in the vicinity of Booth's hut, in which, besides stores of various descriptions, there 'was £200 in money. The natives had of course fled, and as they could not be found, tho bluejackets had therefore to return to their vessel; but it is probable that, on Commodore Erskine receiving, the news, a vessel will be at once detached from the squadron and sent to punish the natives for this gross outrage. Booth was a native of Boston, Lincolnshire, England, and was in the employ of the New Hebrides Company. The Entrance natig,_gMjfcß thought to have had a shave in the n_nKcre; but they laid all the blame on tho natives of Jon Jon. The Undine arrived at Havannah Harbour on October 21. There they learnt that a copramaker named Kind, a Swede, had been shot in his boat off Weasisi, at Tanna, and sail was made at once for the place, which was reached onNoypmberl, when little information could bo obtained as to the truth of tbe matter, and the missionary and his wife residing there seemed perfectly contented to remain. - ■■*•-... _

To the Editor: Sir,—On leaving town last Monday evening-1 was surprised at the number of yonng ladies having to walk to their homes through the pouring rain, several to my knowledge being, unable to obtain a seat or standing room___ 'bus or . tram-car, the conveyances being principally :> taken up by gentlemen. I should be sorry to place any obstacles in the way of gentlemen riding home, but it would be a great convenience to ladies, and perhaps profitable to the Tram Company if at 5.5 p.m. and 6.5 f.m. a car were put. on for ladies exclusively, am, &c., Parent.