ATTACKED BY CANNIBALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1924, Page 5

ATTACKED BY CANNIBALS.

VICTIMS KILLED AND EATEN. Sydney, Dec. 27. Attacked by cannibal*, George Penrose. aged 36. and two of his native carriers were killed and eaten in Dutch New Guinea. With Messrs. Roche and Jackson. Penrose was on a bird shooting expedition in boats in the upper reaches of the Digoel River, about 400 miles inland. Jackson and Penrose left the boats for a new unexplored district, and after they had divided into two parties Penrose was surprised by a swarm of natives. Penrose’s ]>erty comprised himself and 30 Papuans and 18 gun*. The attack was so sudden that two natives sitting at the fire on watch w’ere seized before they could give an adequate alarm. Penrose was stabbed with seven spear wounds. He could not reach his revolver, which was under hi* pillow. He managed to give the alarm, but was unable to move. One Papuan stuck to him and carrie.l and hid him in a place of safety. Two Papuan carriers were killed outright. One died from wounds, and seven hiding place, and the attackers looted were badly wounded. The killed men were eaten within sight of Penrose’s hiding place, and the attackers looted the camp completely, taking everything away. The tragedy was reported to Jackson 20 miles away, and he immediately left with a strong party and a number if gun*. Meeting the stragglers from Per. rose’s party, he, had to organise m-J kave them guns for their protection. He arrived at the site of Penrose’s camp with only four guns, and found Penrose alive, but only able to mutter a few words before dying. The natives again attacked, and Penrose’s body was eaten. The Dutch Government then sent an expedition to punish the murderers. This had not returned when Roche left Maruke. Penrose was born in Canada, and went to school in Plymouth. His father was in the British Navy. Penrose was apprenticed to a cable ship, from which he ran away. He was well known in British Papua. The tragedy recalls the murder of Drexeller and Bell. These two, like Penrose, were well accustomed to the natives of British Papua, but Dutch Territory natives proved too treacherous for them. In the district where the tragedy occurred human flesh can be bought like butcher’s. Each portion of the body has a recognised price. The raid on Penrose’s camp was for love of murder, loot and cannibalism.