AUSTRALIAN MAN HUNT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 14

AUSTRALIAN MAN HUNT

TWO ABORIGINES MURDERED BLACK-FELLOW AND LUBRA FIERCE FIGHT IN THE SCRUB [ FHOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY, Auk. '25 Another page is being written in the drama of Australia's far north. The police have taken action following a. report, made by a black, that a black- • follow and a lubra (native woman) had been killed by four tribesmen near the big camp of scientists at Mount Liebig. The names of those alleged to have been concerned in tlio tragedy have been secured, and ofliccrs will scour the wild west country for them. The police say that the search will occupy at least a month, but they are confident that eventually they will get the men. The long experience of the police has shown them that they must exercise the greatest care in these native killings, and it is only occasionally that information regarding such tragedies reaches them. At the (rial, if tlio Court is satisfied that the killing was done by uncivilised blacks in the course of tribal discipline, the cases are dropped. Hut the police always let some higher authority judgo whether the case is one in which punishment should lie meted out.

Victims Cruelly Speared. The native who brought word of the latest murders alleged that four men were concerned. They had set out to kill the young black and his lubra, and for a long time they were unable to achieve their purpose owing to the largo number of men attached to his tribe. They thon decided to hide iri the scrub and await their opportunity. Finaljy the young black set out with two wivos on a hunting expedition and it was then that he was attacked. One woman fled for safety and was fortunate to escapo the fury of the blacks. Tho other two fought bravely but tho odds were against them, and next day they were found dead. Both had been cruelly speared, tho bodies being about 200 yards apart. The scientists who went north for the special purpose of studying native life arid customs had a unique opportunity of doing so just before camp was broken one day last week. It so happened lhat a new tribe arrived on the scene—a tribe that had not previously had any contact with white people. The arrival of a new tribe in the vicinity of another tribe i 5 an important event in the life of tho natives. Strict etiquette has to be observed. A party of men wandering about the plains unaccompanied by women is always regarded with suspicion. If they are travelling with women and children their intentions are always regarded as peaceful. Word usually reaches a camp long before tho arrival of tho visitors, who come within half a mile of the, existing camp and then wait for some time. Curious Ceremonials

An old man from the resident camp then approaches the visitors and invites them to come on, while the younger men prepare to meet any trouble that may arise. After being invited the visitors arrange themselves in a solid square and approach at a fairly quick run, every man holding a spear aloft. The women and children are left far behind and they come up later. If the men are peacefully received tho approaching natives adopt a curious "high-knee" action, characteristic of many native performances. The old women of the resident Iribo meet the visitors with yelling and ant ics.

Later the full tribes meet one another on ,1 ceremonial ground, and they perform a curious circular dance together. When this is finished the two parties separate, and the leader of the visitors goes quietly around his followers and collects all their flake sticks, which are solemnly presented to the head of the other group. The head man then makes a fire and burns them, and the fire is a sign that there is peace between the groups. Although hours have been spent in the making of those flake sticks, they are burned without a murmur.