SPEARED TO DEATH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 5

SPEARED TO DEATH.

NEW GUINEA PROSPECTOR

TWO NATIVES EATEN : SEVEN WOUNDED.

THURSDAY ISLAND, Dec. 22.—A shocking story of an attack by natives, followed byi a ghastly cannibal feast, has come to hand from Meraukei.

It is reported .that George Penrose, a % prospector, well-known in Papua, and | two native "boys," were speared to I death, and seven other "boys" wounded. A

The murdered "boys" were eaten on tne spot. The tragedy occurred on July 14. Penrose, who was on a bird-collecting expedition, working in Dutch territory from Memnke, with Thomas Jackson, had camped about 100 miles inland, on the upper Digoel river, with a. party of "boys." The attack took place about 3 o.'clock in the morning, when the occupants of the camp were, asleep. The attackers apparently belonged to a strange tribe, which had not, before been seen by white men. They crept upon thei camp unseen, and the first warning of danger renro.se had was when a shower of spears fell around him.

Hei reached for a revolver which he had undor his pillow, but before he could use it he fell pierced by seven spears. In the meantime the. "boys" bad been aroused, but though there were 18 guns in the camp the attack was so sudden that not a. shot was fired. In the fight which followed two of the native boys were killed and seven wounded.

Penrose lingered for 12 hours, while the victorious cannibals built a fire, and devoured the dead "boys" before his eyes. [ ■„ Further detaili! are lacking, but it appears that rescue arrived too late, and that Penrose died from the effects of his wounds just as the cannibals were being driven from the camp. The Dutch * Administration is taking measures to discover and punish the offenders.