THE STORY FROM THE ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 45

THE STORY FROM THE ISLAND.

IMPRISONMENT AND SLAVERY. The cable has already given us some few particulars of the strange story from tha islands, brought by the steamer Moresby. It appears that some time ago two Germani started out from New Guinea in a cutter, prospecting for rubber. During the cruise they called at Long Island, and while there the natives goizetf the cutter and carried tha two occupants off as prisoners. The two men had to work in the village, and, in fact became slaves to the head chiefs. Several attempts to- escape were frustrated, owing to tha vigilance of the tribes, and eventually one of the prisoners, rather thaa endure the terrible privations, committed suicide. The other trader, whoso name is given as Stultz, remained in captivity for nearly two years, when ho made good his escape, and eventually reached Fricdrich. Wilhelmshafen, where ho related the Btory of his experiencs to the German Commissioner.

Captain Williams, of the steamer Moresby, confirmed tho story. From the account received by the captain, it appears the two men were kept prisoners,, and made to work on the native plantations. This told so severely on Frost that he committed suicide. Stultz, however, remained a prisoner. A small steamer, the Johan Albrecht, called at theisland, and Stultz hoped to escape by her. In this, however, he was unsuccessful, for he was tanen away into the bush and tied to a tree, and kept there until the steamer left. After something like 18 months he managed to secure a small canoe at night, and, taking a few cocoanuts as provisions, got safely away. Drifting about for 13 days, and enduring terrible suffering, he eventually landed at Dallman's Harbour, on tho north-enst coast of New Guinea, The natives- here proved friendly, and took tho unfortunate trader to" Berlin Harbour, where the North German Lloyd steamer Stettin was met with. From tli ore he was taken to Friedrich Wilhelmshafen. How he managed to survive for IS days in a small canoe, quite naked, and exposed to tha hot sun, is, said Captain Williams, simply wonderful. However, when ho was met at Friedrich Wilhelmshafen, he appeared little the woras for his terrible experiences'.*

One of the passengers of the Moresby gives a somewhat different account. He says : — " The cutter in which Stultz sailed was named the Mizpah. ■ She started from Samarai, in British New Guinea, about two years* ago. Besides Frost, she carried a crew of natives. The vessel had on board £70 worth of trade, and about £35 in gold. When the vessel anchored off Long Island Frost fell ill, and. being in a precarious condition, it was decided to remain a few days. The natives came off to the cutter, bringing yams, etc., for sale, and as they appeared friendly the occupants of the boat had no misgivings. They, therefore, erected a small shelter on the island with some spare sails, and removed tho sick man there fgr greater comfort. Next day, however, he ended his life by shooting himself with a revolver. After the loss of his mate, Stuliz had a terible time. He was seized by the natives, beaten with sticks, and forced to work on tho plantation?. Further than thia, he was insufficiently fed, and at last he collapsed through exhaustion. Of clothing he had none, for the garments he wore when he landed at the island had been torn off him. When, ho had been captive about threa months the (J-erman New Guinea Company's steamer Johan Albrecht, called at the island to recruit labour for tho 'company's plantations. The steamer obtained three 'boys,' and then left. Stultz, during the steamer's stay, was tied to a tree in the busily As soon as the steamet sailed he was brought in and subjected to further brutal treatment. This went on for EGme months, but Stultz stood the terrible experience with fortitude, and at last managed to escape. A great native feast was being held one night, when Stultz managed to elude his captors, making off in a canoe with what little food he could lay his hands upon. Xt had a perilous trip in his frail craft, but wai successful in getting clear away. He replenished his supply of food at a small, uninhabitea island within three days' sail of Long Island, and was then 10 days at the mercy ot the wind and sea before he reached another island. Friendly natives at this island showed the castaway every kindness. He remained two months with them, when an opportunity offered which enabled him to reach Friedrich Wilhelmshafen. There he was cared for by the New Guinea Company's agent?. At Wilhelmshafen the three ' boys ' recruited by the Johan Albrecht, as previously stated, recognispd him, and attempted to rim away, but were prevented from, doing so by the. company. When the steamer left Stuliz had almost recovered from his hardships, the only evidence of the alleged ill-treatment being a large swelling round both anklec. Traders at Samarai remembered Stuliz leaving with the money and trade spoken, of, although there is at present little to verify his adventures."

A detailed report of the matter has been forwarded by the German authorities, and a man-of-war will be sent off shortly to investigate.

Nearly two years will be occupied in building rhe Bank of New Zealand's new premises in Wellington.