THE CAPTIVE WOMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1924, Page 13

THE CAPTIVE WOMEN.

DOUGLAS MAWSON SURVIVOR VAIN EFFORT TO ESCAPE. , CHANCE OF RESCUE LOST. Sydney, Nov. 6. Though the recent search iby a Government expedition for the two women survivors of the wrecked steamer Douglas Mawson proved futile, there seems to be ample evidence that they are still being •iield captive by one of the Northern Territory tribes of aborigines. The women, according to a message from Darwin, were camped with the blacks a few miles from where the John Alee was anchored with the police on board, and could have been relieved montlts ago. These two statements are made in a report to the Administrator oi the Territory by Mr. E. P. Kakharxow. When interviewed by press representatives. Mr. Kakharrow, who is manager of the Echo Island Naptha Petroleum Company, stated that he had made no report to the Administrator of the Territory since his from Elcho Island, with regard to the relief expedition’s search for the alleged Douglas Mawson survivors. He stated that he urged the Administrator, upon the arrival of the steamer Huddersfield in the vicinity of Elcho Island, that all native canoes be seized. The Administrator agreed, but t^ e expedition allowed the canoes to escape, with the result that aborigine messengers rapidly spread the news of its presence. "At the request of the Administrator I left Elcho Island by the auxiliary ketch Pat, accompanied by William Stanley, quartermaster of the Arnheim Bay expedition, to open my negotiations by peaceful methods for the release of women held in captivity by natives of Arnheim land. I asked the Port Bradshaw boy by the name of Banaka if he knew* anything about t-he big boat that was supposed to have been wrecked. and he gave me a history of the •wreck. “I understand from this boy that the Boonen have plenty of provisions, blanikwta, etc., and are well cared for, but Ifccy are watched closely by the blwcks prevent their escape. W'hen Constables Green and McNamara were sent to make inquiries about the ill-fated Douglas Mawson the women were camped a few miles from where the John Alee was anchored on the west side of Cape Wilberforce. On the last trip of the John Alee the natives holding the women were camped on an island (the name of which is unknown). As soon as the boat was sighted the women were taken inland. They endeavoured to escape in a canoe, but. were recaptured, and the natives threatened to spear them should they make any further attempt to escape. “After receiving this information from the boy Banaka, I decided that it was advisable to hold him on board the Pat. I then decided to take Stanley and a few boys with me to endeavour to rescue the women, but, ats Banaka assured me that as soon as the Port Bradshaw natives saw any white men coming they would spear the women, there was nothing left for me to do but to commence peaceful negotiations. If the boy had not escaped from Constables Green and McNamara, these unfortunate women would have probably been relieved months ago, when they were camped neaJ’ the anchorage.*