THE AFFRAY IN NEW GUINEA

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 31

THE AFFRAY IN NEW GUINEA

VERSION OF CAPTAIN HARVEY. SYDNEY, April 30. A gentleman who was aboard the Merrie England at the time of the conflict with the New Guinea natives stated that some of the natives were shot while aboard the vessel, and others while attempting to- regain the boats. He added that when the news was . received at Port Moresby the Government officials were very indignant. Captain Harvey, of the Merrie England. after reading this- gentlemans statement, gave his version of the affair to the effect that lie anchored off the island on sth March. Nobody went ashore, but next morning (Sunday) tho natives came off in canoes all round the steamer. He was in his cabin w lien lie heard a commotion. He saw a native policeman holding a native, and ran and helped to arrest the man. YV lule the polioem-an was away getting handcuffs the native seized a belaying pin, and attempted to strike and bite bis hand. Eventually the man was secured, with assistance. In the meantime firing was going on, but he could not say. how many natives were shot. He denied that any were shot on board the steamer. Just as the native was secured! an arrow fled past; and nearly hit him (Captain Harvey). Captain Harvey asserted that the natives commenced the attack. Otherwise those on board would not have fired. Captain Harvey further stated that the authorities had information of the arrest of certain natives mixed up with the murder of the Rey J. Chalmers. These natives came aboard the Merrie England among others. A signal was given, and the police set about arresting them. The statement that they were shot and maltreated was absolutely untrue. They secured nine natives, including two who were implicated in the murder. The Government had certain reasons for securing so many and when the natives in the canoes saw what had been done they commenced firing, and attacked the Merrie England in great f oiroe —it being estimated that six hundred were present. Orders were given to fire, but he did not know by whom. Judge Robinson was present while the fighting was proceeding. Captain Harvey added: “It was a_ case of looking, to ourselves, for the ship was surrounded, and if the natives had got the upper hand they would soon have murdered the whole of ins. TYo were attacked, and at the least had to defend the ship. At any rate, we secured our prisoners, and afterwards landed them, safely. Two were allowed to go. It is not true that the natives came on a mission of peace. They attacked us, and we fired in self : defence. It is not true that oertai'n of the

steamer’s! officers told Judge Robinson t o do Ms own dirty work, as they would have nothing to do with it.” .... Mr Barton, the newly-appointed of New Guinea, has explained that hei visited the locality with Governor Le Hutite, the then Administrator, in 1902. One man was arrested in connection with the murder of the missionaries, and the tribe was given to understand clearly that a return visit-would be made to discover the nr guilty of the massacre. Mr Barto. added—lt is necessary that the native . who are in a very rudimentary stage c: savagery, are fierce and warlike, an implacably hostile to whites, shone, understand that the whites arc in ea: - nest in their endeavour to punish toe murderers. SYDNEY, May 1. The federal Minister of External Affairs will hold a personal inquiry into the Merrie England affair. He says, that if oertain statements are sub-' stantiated. action of a drastic character will be taken.