GOLD SEEKERS MURDERED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19947, 15 November 1926, Page 9

GOLD SEEKERS MURDERED

ATTACKED BY NATIVES. NEW BRITAIN TRAGEDY. STOKY OF THE CRIME. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, November 13. Details of the murder of the goldseekers at New Britain were brought to Sydney by the steamer Montoro. It was stated that the trouble arose from interference with native women by black boys who were with a white man who travelled through the district some months ago. The natives followed their usual custom of attacking the next white man’s party that came in view. When the party, consisting of Fisher, Page, Britain, Nichols, Marley, and Collins, arrived at a native village they were surprised to find it deserted. They were about to partake of a meal, when they were startled by a shower of missiles from all sides. They were unable to reach their rifles, which they had left some distance away., The party scattered, and ran for the jungle. As Britain ran he tripped and fell, and was knocked unconscious. The Natives failed to notice him lying in the undergrowth. When he came to he crawled away, and reached the beach, where he found Nichols. A patrol party arrived, and they all proceeded to the scene of the murders, and buried the bodies of Collins, Marley, and Fisher. There was' no trace of Page. The party then returned to Rabaul for reinforcements.