RIVAL TRIBES AT WAR.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5486, 18 March 1910, Page 3

RIVAL TRIBES AT WAR.

ELEVEN NATIVES KILLED. TOUT DARWIN T , March 14. Mr McJ'herson, trader, gives details of the tribal fight which occurred near Junction Bay on January 2-1. Me-. Pherson had a beche de-mer fishiug. camp at EolliDg Bay which appears to be neutral territory between the June tion Bay tribe and ihe Liverpool River tribe. On the day of th« fight McHierson observed his Junction Bay natives in fall war paint, with while faces and yellow legs. He was told that a party <>f Liverpool natives lay concealed in the thick jungle, SGOj-ds distant. Poon after the day's work was finished there was a wtird blood • curdling war-whoop, aud between 30 and 40 ghastly white -paiu led figures dashed into tbe open from their concealnacnt, while still greater numbers >.f Junction Bay natives came from the PI osite thicket to meet them 'ihe contending parties met on a | clear, open, grassy sward. Showers lof spears were exchange]. The blacks were throwing with exceeding skill and strength, while the dexterity with which the spears were dodged or Wi-rJed off was amazing One of McPherson's boys was pierced by a spctfr Then the natives came to close quarters, and a ferocions struggle ensued, 'ihe Junction boys, armed with tomahawks and trepan g knives and pieces of iron, " waded in " One magnificent native, armed with a huge club, rushed his opponent, but, to the surprise of MePherson, the Junction boy warded off the blow, aud, with a tomahawk, cleft his opponent's head from crown to base. The battle lasted about half- an-, hour, and the advantage swayed from side to side, but gradually the supurior weapons of the Junction natives provailed, aud the attackers broke for cover, hotly pursued. The wounded were had ed to death by the victors Eleven were Idled, and their bodies heaped together and burnt.