SOLOMON ISLAND OUTRAGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2928, 18 September 1896, Page 2

SOLOMON ISLAND OUTRAGE.

Baron Von Norbeck Speared to Death

Five of the Expedition Killed,

By 'Telegraph. — PressAmwcuttion, —Copyright Received September 17, 10 p.iu. Sydney, September 17.

News has been received that the natives of the Solomon Islands have massacred Baron Foullone Yon Norbeck, tho noted scientist. Midshipman Do Beauford, two bluejackets belonging to tho Austrian man-o’-war Albatross, and a native guide- Pour other sailors were seriously wounded and two slightly. Baron Von Norbeck was loading a scientific expedition, and landed at the island of Guadalcanal whore the natives attacked and speared tho party.

LATER PARTICULARS OF THE MASSACRE. HOW THE WOUNDED WERE BROUGHT IN. FAILURE TO RECOVER THE DEAD BODIES. Received September 18, 0.60 a.m. Sydney, September 17. Details of the massacre so far are meagre. The news was contained in a telegram received by the Admiral from Mr Woodford, Deputy-High Commissioner of tho Solomons. It was forwarded to Cooktown by a specially chartered schooner. Baron Foullone von Norbeck and party were exploring the interior of tho island at tho time. Mr Woodford headed tho expedition which brought back the wounded. A second expedition to recover the dead bodies failed in its object. The warship Pylades has gone to the scone. The Albatross was placed at the Baron’s disposal by the Austrian Government for the purpose of scientific research, and had been cruising among tho islands since May last.

The Solomons He 500 miles oast of Now Guinea, and stretch GOO miles south-east in two parallel chains. They are densely wooded, and the mountains in Quadalcaner rise 8000 feet in height. The people are constantly at war with one another, are cruel and savage cannibals, wear little or no clothing, and tatoo their bodies.