THE PAPUAN EXPLORERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 59, 10 March 1911, Page 7

THE PAPUAN EXPLORERS.

A STORY OF THEIR MURDER

[IBESS ASSOCIATION.]

SYDNEY, March 9. A Thursday Island story is circulating which states that Administrator Smith reached the Purari River and built rafts. He began, to descend towards the coast. On the way the natives went jn search of food and did not return. The others followed and met a tribe of natives and were killed. Little is known of these natives, except that they behead their victims and wear the heads as trophies of valor on ~a string round their waists.1

It is believed that the authorities are aware of the fact that all are dead except two natives, who ran awfiy and reached Goaribari.

There is absolutely no official news available, however.

THE STORY DISBELIEVED

MELBOURNE, March 9. The above story appears to be a repetition of that told by the Goaribari pilots, except that the disaster is transferred from the Upper Kikoiu to Purari River, whitfh is nqt in the direction the expedition - were proceeding. To reach it the expedition would have ha 3to turn right about and go 150 miles on a course never contemplated.