ATTACK BY NATIVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20039, 4 March 1927, Page 9

ATTACK BY NATIVES

MISSION STATION OUTRAGE. DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR. (Presg Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.) DARWIN, March 3. The attack on the mission station at Crocodile Island was made by natives from Arnheim Land. A religious service was being held on Sunday in the open air, when the savages, armed with spears, crept to where the service was being held and threw their spears. Mr J. Robertson, a lay missionary, seized a rifle, but it jammed. A giant black launched a spear at him, striking Mr. Robertson in the hand, which was split. Thence the spear travelled up the arm, and inflicted a wound in the chest. Friendly natives ran for guns, and the attackers retired, three of them being wounded by shots; but they escaped in the mangroves. At midnight they were located, their camp was surrounded, and three were arrested ; but they later escaped. A second offensive next day was successful, and the three were recaptured and brought to Darwin, 400 miles distant, by the mission lugThe police are proceeding to Mullingimby. Mr Robertson is recovering.