MASSACRE ON A LABOUR VESSEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7659, 9 June 1886, Page 5

MASSACRE ON A LABOUR VESSEL.

A GOVERNMENT AGENT AND SEVEBAL OF THE CREW KILLED. [BT TELKGBArH. — TKRSS ASSOCIATION.] DuNßDitf, Tuesday. Tan Hobart papers by the Doric contains the following telegram from Brisbane :—" The ■chooner Young Dick, which has arrived at Maryborough, reported that a desperate confliot with the natives occurred at Malay ta Island on May 20, resulting in the death of about 15 persons, including Mr. Pop. ham, Government Agent, and Martin (the cook), the sailmaker, a recruit, and about a dozen natives. While the captain and two boats' crews were aehore reoruiting, about 50 natives (with their tomahawks concealed iu yams and leaves), boarded the vessel in canoes ostensibly to recruit, and, at a signal given by the chief, the entire party attacked the crew. The mate, Mr. Marr, threw off his assailants and eeized the firearms on board and successfully defended himielf from tho half-cloeed door of the cabin. A *eaman named Cattenden, who w»i asleep below, hastened on deck with arms and encountered tho natives. He then ascended the forctop aud shot down a number of the savages, and forced them to retreat, and he then descended and released the mate, whose rifle was broken, and who was incapable of further fight. He also shot another savage, whom he found in the agent's cabin. They then armed the recruits, numbering 14, with tomahawks, and were prepared to resist a second attack which was threatened but did not come off. On the captain's return to the vesiel an awful jcene of carnage met his view. Four white men were hacked to pieces, and their brains wera bespattered about the deck. Mr. Popham was lying in his cabin with pea and paper in his hands, and his head split open. One recruit who joined in the Kesistance, and five natives who were shot, wera lying about the deck. Marr aud Cattenden aver that they shot many others who went overboard. The bodiei from the vessel were buried at aea, and the Young Dick sailed home. The brig Janet Steward was attacked successfully and loote.l at the same place by the eame tribe five years ago.