EXPLORER'S PERILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 7

EXPLORER'S PERILS.

ATTACKED BY NATIVES. t NEW GUINEA JUNGLE THRILLS.; Tho most hazardous adventure of his 3(J years of exploration—an attack ,by K"ew> Guinea natives —was described by Mr. Wilfred Walker, F.R.G.S., on his arrival at Sydney recently. Mr. Walker, who has visited 62 eou«- - trios, said that he, Major Acland, ancl Captain Monckton led an expedition of : 125 natives in search of birds of paradise, near Gape Kelson. They camped otia afternoon jn dense jungle, and were soon disturbed by rustling in the trees, and knew that they were surrounded by natives. Attempts to frighten the natives were unsuccessful, and they were attacked soon after nightfall. Spears rained among tho party, and Iheijp was temporary confusion. Several natives, in their party were killed by the first' shower of spears, ' but the attacking partv was driven, back by sustained rifle fire. Until morning the surrounded party kept up an intermittent lire arid killed 30 natives... Tho Europeans were • unharmed, but several of the native police and carriers wcro killed and injured., With tho approach of dawn tho attack* ing party leftIt was subsequently found by Mr.> „Walker that tho natives in the district were cannibals, and generally killed their victims by torture. Captives .were tied with ropes to a stake, and small portions of their flesh were sliced off until death released them from their agony. Mr. Walker had a narrow escape on a, Borneo river, when he was attacked by head-hunters, who fired arrows, froift the banks. A fusillade of revolver shots, drove them beyond range. " „ ,#" A strange experience bofel Mr. during a five months' stay in the inoun->; tains of Japan. lie was unable to speak v a word of Japanese, - and the had never seen an before*