SHIP'S OFFICER ATTACKED AT FUTUNA ISLAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 14 April 1908, Page 4

SHIP'S OFFICER ATTACKED AT FUTUNA ISLAND.

VICTIM'S ARM SEVERED WITH AXE. A cable from Fiji recently announced that Mr H. P. Wellings, tho purser of the Sydney-owned steamer South I Australian, had"been tomahawked by the I natives of Futuna, and landed at Rotuma in a dying condition. The South Australian lias returned to Sydney, and Captain Davidson furnished the following account of the murderous attack on Mr Wellings -. — "The South Australian arrived at Fatuna on February 23rd at 7 a.m., and Mr Wellings went, on shore to secure any orders from the priest, who also endorses tho bill of health. About 9.30 a.m. word came from the shore that Mr Wellings had bc-pn cut in tho- arm. This at first was only hearsay, but shortly after the steamer's boat and the pilot's boat wer c both seen pulling from the shore in great haste. When tlu boat came alongside it was seen that Mr Wellings was wounded and bleeding wry much. When we got him on board we found that his left arm was rut almost right through, the bones being severed, and the arm only hanging by the fiesh on the lower part of the arm. Dr Macdonald, the Commission?r. promptly came on board at Rotinna. ami treated the wound on Mr Wellings' arm. From Mr Wellings' statement, and also that of Mr Max Wendt, and Man. a Rotumaji chief, and Esau, a, Fijian, it appears that all four were walking along the track at Futuna from Mr Opper-man-'s (the trader's house) towards the priest's house. Mr Wellings was leading, the others following. They were met by three, men. Suddenly one of the natives swung his ax e with both hands and when Mr Wellings was just opposite made a savage cut at his head. Mr Wellings started and threw up his arm. The axe jnst missed his head, but clove through the arm. Mr Wellings did not fall, but turned and ran back with the others to Mr Opperman's house. When the deed was committed they were not more thar. 60 voids away from the house. Not a 'word was spoken, and Mr Wellftigs affirmed ho had never seen the man in his life before to his knowledge.