FIRED ON BY CANNIBALS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12406, 23 November 1908, Page 4

FIRED ON BY CANNIBALS.

• — *■ — NATIVE BEAHER CAPTURED ■ AND EATEN ; After a lapse of several weeks further news was received hi -Sydney on November 6 from Mr Donald Mackay's exploring party, whicli is now penetrating the wilds of British Papua. When Mr Mackay wrote he was two miles beyond Baroio village — 140 miles up the Purari river, and' one mile beyond Sir William McGregor's last camp. The' members of the expedition encountered many obstacles before they reached this spot, and to add to their troubles very great difficulty was experienced in securing supplies of sago which forms the principal food of the black carriers. The intrepid explorers eventually succeeded in reaching the village, but only to find it deserted. The natives they found had abandoned it many months ago. This discovery camp as a bitter disappointment, for it had been expected that ample food supplies would have been secured there, and much valuable information obtained respecting tlio character of the country beyond. Mr Mackay reports that the general roiite by the Fly river is out of the question", the party hopes to do good work in a north westerly direc-. tion, and may come down one of the ,many rivers that empty into the Giilf of Papua. If .-this course has to be taken it will be a great disappointment, for the explorers" arrived at the villago on the Purari after a big battle and many delays. Mr Mackay reports that the- general health of the party is good, and that they -are having comparatively little troiible with the natives. Ono 'boy' received an arrow wound in the shoulder, and Mr Mackay reports the loss of ono of the carriers. Whilst out looking for bird specimens this 'boy' got away from the other carriers and although tho party fired guns and lit fires th&t night and spent all tho next day. looking for him, no traco was found, there being little doubt that he had. been eaten by the blacks who had fired at them on the previous ■ day. "