MASSACRE IN NEW GUINEA

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 5

MASSACRE IN NEW GUINEA

“FEROCIOUS PUNISHMENT” OF natives. INQUIRY NEEDED. Bv Telegraph.—Preos Assn.—Copyright SYDNEY, September 12. The Sydney “Sap’s” special representative in Papua reports the trial of six native® for the murder, some time ago, of a labour recruiter named O’Dowd. Four of the prisoners were employed by, and accompanied, O’Dowd, at -the time of the murder. According to the evidence of one of thra accused, O’Dowd was returning to the village to recapture two of the witness’s brothers,. who had escaped. Their father told them to kill O’Dowd to prevent him taking his 6ons away, and they made an ambush and speared him to death. WOMEN AND CHILDREN SHOT. The natives then deserted- the village and took, refuge in the- hueh: " • A punitive expedition, composed of native police and other natives, was sent to the scene, and indulged, in wholesale shooting. , ■ Three native wives, witness’s father, and three other women were killedOne of the headman’s wives had a little child at her breast and it was killed, as well as all the other children in the village excepting three belonging to the witness, who, with his wife and four male natives, were taken prisoners. Two of the male prisoners had since died. The scene of the shooting was in the Potsdamhai'en area. JUDGE’S COMMENT. The judge, in commenting on the evidence, said that if this feme-pas punishment was meted out to these people, it hod an important hearing on the relations between the natives and the Administration. The “Bun’s” representative states that in view of the serious statements, a searching inquiry will ho made into the conduct of the punitive expedition.