ABORIGINAL MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18079, 2 May 1922, Page 8

ABORIGINAL MURDER.

STRANGE NATIVE CRIME.

AUSTRALIAN TRIBAL LAW. [rnoM oira own coeresponbext.] SYDNEY. April 22. How closely the aborigines of Aus tralia cling to certain tribal rites has just been demonstrated in South Australia, in connection with the conviction of an aborigine lor the murder of a lubra. The evidence tendered at the trial showed that the aborigine, Wongacurra, lost his lubra and two piccaninnies as the result of disease- I Q accordance with tnoal law the bereaved native ascribed hia domestic disaster to witchcraft, and his suspicions fell upon Konica. H6 tracked the unfortunate woman for several days, through wild country, and came upon her as she was digging in a rabbit warren. Ho struck ner with a boomerang, r»nd then killed her with a thru?' from a spear, or " yam stick" as the natives term it. After a long and perilous hunt Wongacurra was discovered. The prisoner caild only speak "pidgin" English. The proper words of caution were used by the arresting constable, but it was evident, that the formal words were not understood by the native. At tho very outset Wongacurra said, " Me finish now; me tell 'em true." obviously intending to convey his belief that he had been captured, and that his life was forfeited. The constable then interrogated him, saying, " What for you kill 'em poor old lubra?" and the prisoner appeared to have answered the question to the effect that his acrtion was m accordance with a tribal custom. He declared, " I square 'era up longa my lubra and piccaninnies." The authorities had not the body of tho deceased to produce,' and si journey of over 300 miles was begun for the solo purpose of discovering evidence against the accused black-fellow. The prisoner guided the party to the locality of the alleged crime, and pointed out the spot in a sandhill whare tho corpse was buried. Then the small party set out on the long return journey. The party ran short of water, and tried to mduco Wongacurra to find some for them. Neither the constable, nor the black-tracker, who was with him, could find water, and Wongacurra refused to do so. The constable and blacktracker divided the' water between them, and cut off Wongacurra's supply. Maddened by thirst, he finally directed them tfc> a well, and the Lives of all the party wera saver? *