MISSING PAPUAN EXPLORERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15558, 7 March 1911, Page 7

MISSING PAPUAN EXPLORERS.

RUMOURS OF MASSACRE. United' Press Association —By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 6. The steamer Winderoo, which has arrived at Thursday Island, reports that one of tho launches searching for Mr Staniforth Smith is missing, and the auxiliary ketch Sir Arthur has been despatched in search of it. There is a vaguo rumour in Daru that six police of the original party have returned to their villages. While the Merrie England was searching tho Kikori River, natives reported that the Government party’s raft had beou capsized in the river and that the party had been massacred by natives in the vicinity. The search party endeavoured to got confirmation of the gtory, hut no reliable evidence was forthcoming. MELBOURNE, March 6. Official reports discredit the massacre story.

NO NEWS. (Received March 7, 12.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, March (5. The Government agent at Thursday Island has telegraphed, that a steamer has arrived from Dan at the mouth of the Fly River. No news whatever has been received of the missing expedition. Tliis news is six days later than that cabled this morning.