BOOMERANGS DECIDE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1927, Page 3

BOOMERANGS DECIDE

AN ABORIGINAL TRIAL.

Among the MS. memoirs of the Rev. Septimus Hungerford, who recently passed away in his 102nd. year, is an interesting account of an aboriginal trial witnessed by him on the Barwon River away back in 1847 eighy years ago (writes J.E.C. in the Sydney “Morning Herald”). He was accompanied by an elder brother on a visit to a cattle station belonging to his father, the late Captain Hungerford, and shortly before reaching the station the brothers had a curious adventure. Hearing a great commotion a little distance from the road, they concluded that the noise proceeded from a camp of blacks, and they turned aside to learn the cause. They found a large encampment of probably 300 aboriginals—men, women and children. Many of the men, evidently warriors, were painted in a grotesque fashion .with stripes and figures in white ochre, on their black and shiny skins.. The elder Hungerford knew something of the blacks’ language, and was by this means able to find out the cause of the excitement. It appeared that a blackfellow of another tribe, probably a Coppi, had appropriated the wife of a member of the local tribe, an Epi, and the case was then under adjudication. Judgment was presently given amid much excitement. The offender was to stand at a distance of apparently about 30 yards, there to meet the rage of the aggrieved husband, who was to execute the judgment of the court upon him, which was that the husband should hurl a boomerang at him three times, while he (the prisoner) was to have only a helaman to defend himself. The helaman is a piece of wood 18 inches long by three inches wide, with a rounded surface, and a grooved place behind with which to hold it. The two white spectators watched with the keenest interest the preliminary preparations, taking care, however, to keep at a safe distance from the scene of conflict. The ground was carefully measured and the offender placed in position. The aggrieved husband ran backwards and forwards several times before taking aim from his mark, meanwhile gesticulating volubly as he handled his weapon of offence. The offender, however, stood his ground, watching intently every movement of his intended assailant. At length the first boomerang was thrown with all the viciousness its holder was capable of. But, quick as lightning, the helaman was interposed and scattered the boomerang into splinters. With increased vigour and hatred the second was shot out, aimed at the neck of the accused. But the latter ducked his head instantaneously, and again escaped death. The third and last throw, which would decide the fate of the offender, was awaited by the whole camp with breathless interest. Not a sound broke the stillness, save the infuriated jabbering of the assailant, who evidently thirsted for his enemy s blood. On this effort he aimed low and desperately at the lower part of the body; but the prisoner, with marvellous agility, gauged the direction, and, leaping into the air, allowed the weapon to pass under his feet. At once the whole camp became a bedlam. An impulse either of congratulation or disappointment became general; and in the midst of a riot of noise the spectators rode off, seeing that peace was restored between the tribes, and. relieved that they .had not witnessed the bloodshed that was intended. . .Aboriginal justice, was.satisfied, -and all parties accepted the: result Of the ordeal by boomerang.’. : -