NAKANAI MASSACRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19806, 29 November 1927, Page 11

NAKANAI MASSACRE.

MURDER OF PROSPECTORS. DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED, (Received November 28, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. RABAUL, Nov. 28. The sentences of death which were passed on the natives who killed three prospectors at Nakanai, New Britain, in October, 1926, have oeen definitely commuted to imprisonment for 15 years. Three members of a European prospecimg party were murdered by_ natives on New Britain; an island off New Guinea, in October, 1926. The party arrived at, a native village, but were surprised to find it vacated. They had prepared a meal when volleys of various missiles were showered upon them, killing three of the party. The remaining three scattered to the bush and escaped. The party had laid down their rifles at some distance away and it was impossible to regain them, as they were quite unprepared for an attack. A patrol party was sent out and recovered three bodies, but as the natives showed a very hostile front a return to Fabaul for reinforcements was made. The tribe concerned numbered from 400 to 500 natives, so an expedition was despatched to effect the arrest of the murderers and their accomplices. Tire operations took some months, but finally the prisoners were brought to Rabaul for trial, but they escaped from the gaol there, in July" last. They were recaptured and sentenced to death on November 3.