Murder of an English Agent in New Guinea.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6345, 13 October 1890, Page 3

Murder of an English Agent in New Guinea.

Full partioulers have reached Cooktown of the discovery by Mr A. ,0. English, Government agent at Riga, that the late George Hunter, whom ho succeeded at that place, did > not die of fever as was supposed, but was foully murdered by his native wife, her paramour, another native woman and five other ( natives. Mr English was instructed on being appointed Government agent, to hold an inquiry into the circumstances connected with Hunter’s death. He discovered that Mov, Hunter’s native wife, together with her lover, concocted a scheme to got rid of Hunter, who at the time was very ill from fever. The following are the particulars: Vetaikoro, Hunter’s station boy, went into the room where Hunter was lying ill, end offered to squeeze and rub his aching head with the palms of his hands. This custom is very prevalent among the natives for the treatment of aches and pains. Hunter acquiesced, and the boy pretended to do so, placing his body in such a position that Hunter could not see the murderers entering the room. Mov,- his wife, suddenly seized him by the throat. The other native woman threw herself across his abdomen, pressing with all her weight on his body, the others assisting by holding the struggling man down, while the women suffocated and strangled him. Hunter, although very weak, seized a tomahawk and inflicted slight wounds on some of bis murderers, but was easily overpowered and suffocated. Vetaikoro then told Mov to make tea in the morning, and take it to Hunter. She was then to pretend to discover his death and commence her lamentations, whereupon be would run screaming and wailing through Kapakapa village where the murder was perpetrated. This was done, but the secret leaked out, and the villagers hunted Mov out of the village, and proceeded to Port Moresby with Hunter’s body. Mr English having identified all the murderers, who were living in three villages, divided his force of 16 men into three parties, and succeeded in capturing every one of them. This was a most difficult operation, but was successfully carried into effect. Mr English brought eight prisoners to Port Moresby, where they were tried bo--fore Judge. Winter. Mov and another native woman, Vetaikoro, the station boy, and three [other men wore sentenced to death. Two others were acquitted.