TWO ABORIGINALS KILLED

Evening Star, Issue 22671, 10 June 1937, Page 8

TWO ABORIGINALS KILLED

LONG WAIT FOR VENGEANCE SEQUEL TO TRIBAL BETRAYAL The latest ' reported killing among nomadic tribes in the western portion of Central Australia proves that the aborigines do not easily forget a wrong. Cattlemen from the area 300 miles west of Alice Springs have reported that Puna and Pulita, two aborigines who, it was alleged, had been the instigators of the killing by Numberlin and Nange« of another aborigine, Kaiumen, in 1934, have been killed by tribesmen. ... Numberlin and Nangee are now undergoing a sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for the murder, and it is known that if they return to their own country after their release, death awaits them. . In the killing of Puna and Pulita the avengers have patiently bided- their time, and have travelled 'hundreds of miles to satisfy their desire for vengeance. The killers.are said to be relatives of Kaiumen. who was murdered because leaders of the tribe bad decided that he had betrayed to his Inbrn tribal secrets known only to men. The , tribal penaltv for such a betrayal ie\ death. Numberlin "and Nangee were tried for the murder of Kaiumen before Judge Wells and a jury in February, 1935. Evidence was called bv counsel for the defence, Mr B. N. Webb, that the prisoners had been ill-treated by the police and aboriginal trackers. Subsequently Professor J. B. Cleland presided over an inquiry into the alleged illtreatment, and Travelled hundreds of miles taking evidence, but, except for a minor offence, the allegation* were not sustained. The aboriginal patrol officer. M’- T. G. H Strehlow. is investigating the latest developments in tribal vengeance.