THE REV. G. BROWN AND NEW BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5374, 6 February 1879, Page 3

THE REV. G. BROWN AND NEW BRITAIN.

IMPORTANT STATEMENTS BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE ARIADNE. Captain B. Von Wkrnbr, commander of the German man-of-war Ariadne, now in Auckland barboar, has been at the Duke of York Island, and has made fall inquiry into the circumstances connected with the murder of native missionaries and subsequent event". It will be seen that not only does he exonerate Mr. Brown from blame, but has recommended tho German Government to expressly approve his conduct.

Captain Von Werner states that he was at Fiji in November last, and heard, while there, a number of contradictory reports in relation to the action Mr. Brown had taken in New Britain. This action was condemned in unmeasured terms by certain person-*, who alleged that Mr. Brown would be punished with at least five years' imprisonment. Mr. John Gorrie, the Acting High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, informed Captain Von Weruer that he should proceed to Duke of York Island, ill her Majesty's ship Nymphe, to investigate the case. The Ariadne left the Fijis on the 3rd November, the Nymphe arriving there on the sime day. On the 10th of December tho Ariadne arrived at the Duke of York Island, and remained until the 20th of the same month. During this period Captain Von Werner saw Mr. Brown frequently, conversing with him upon the Bubject. He also had many conversations with Germans aud other Europeans residing there, who were personally acquainted with the facts of the case. The statements made to him were to the effect that Mr. Brown was powerless to prevent the party from going, as the people were greatly excited, and determined to inflict summary justice. Captain Von Werner states that his opinion is that the Rev. Mr. Brown should be re warded iuste&d of blamed for his conduct. He characterises him as a brave, Christian man, who tried to and did do his duty toward all parties concerned in this unfortunate affair. His opinion, he says, is Ihe same as that of all Europeans at the Duke of York Island. These Europeans, in fact, declared that it was mainly owing to the exertions of Mr. Brown that the affair wag no worse. The oaptain expresses his strongest sympathy with Mr. Broun, and says that he sincerely hopes he will receive the reward hia actions deserve. Unwilling to allow the affair to pass without official recognition upon his part, he haa despatshed a full account of it to the Imperial German Government, and has also requested that Government to convey to the Kev. George Brown, by means of an official communication to the English Government, the thanks of the German Government tor his conduct, by which the lives and property of German as well as other European citi-z-ns had been protected. When the Ariadne left tho Efuke of York Island, the Nymphe, on board of which was the official who is to investigate the affair, had not yet arrived. Her arrival there, and tne action of the Acting-High Commis sioner, will be looked forward to with great interest.

Comment on the abova is hardly necessary, yet it may be mentioned that the case has received the careful consideration of an experienced commander of a man-of-war, well acquainted with questions of this character, and the result has been the complete vindication of Mr. Brown, and a recommendation from high authority that he should receive the thanks of the German Government. Whether Mr. Gorrie, Her Majesty'* High Commissioner, will coincide in this opinion remains to be seen.