AUSTRALIAN CABLE

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 10 May 1901, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CABLE

United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9.26 a.m., May 9th. THE NEW GUINEA CANNIBALS. THURSDAY ISLAND, May 9. The following details of the murders of the missionaries were < given by a New Guinea native captured by the punitive expedition. >, The native enticed Dr Chalmers' party ashore. Dr Chalmers was first taken by the natives towards the village, Mr Tomkins being left behind. Dr Chalmers told Mr Tomkins he feared outrage, and if possible to escape. Mr Tomkins refused to leave Dr Chalmers. The natives clubbed Chalmers in the presence of Tomkins and the remainder of the party, cutting off his head. They then divided the flesh amongst themselves. Tomkins was killed next day, and his flesh distributed amongst the adjoining villages. On the same day eleven natives who were with I the missionaries, were killed together. Another account states that the punitive expedition killed twenty-four and wounded several natives. In one large house they destroyed over eleven hundred skulls. They discovered a quantity of tools and portions of a vessel apparently of about threo lmndren lons were also ftrand, but nothing to pvovo ils identity. Dr Chalmers' visit, was tho lirst over paid , by a missionary to tho natives at. tho sceno of the mnssaero. Punitive parties, consisting of Lieutenant! Brown, a small military party from Tburs-

day Island, forty native police, four Government officers, and two missionaries, all under the command of the Governor of New Guinea, reached the scene of the inassacre on May 2nd. The natives attacked the boats with a hob fire and dispersed. Tho attackers at each village visited hod tho same experience. It resulted in a landing being effected with great difficulty. The natives were driven from their villages. The war houses were burnt, tho war and fishing canoes were destroyed. In tho fighting, only one of the police was wounded with an arrow, but the natives suffered considerable loss, though it is not stated how many. They are described as being plucky, especially at the first village where they attempted twice to rush the camp whiclf| was being formed. The actual place of the murders was Anawaida. Portions of tho missionary whale boat were discovorsd, also Mr Chalmers' hat, ti human jaw bono, and other remains.

Received 11.30 a.m., May 9th. FEDERAL SPEAKERSHIP. MELBOURNE, May 9. Sir John Quick, finding that tho Ministry supported Mr Holder for the Speakership of the House, withdrew his nomination. Mr Holder, therefore, became Speaker. ILLNESS OF MR REID. Mr George Reid, who arrived in Sydney a day or two ago, is seriously ill. Ho recently had a relapse from a bronchial attack, and signs of serious lung trouble are apparent. . THE MOKOIA. Sailed—Mokoia, yesterday.

Received 9.31 p.m., May 9th. TRAGEDIES IN NEW. SOUTH WALES.

SYDNEY, May 9. Two tragedies are reported from the country. Ut Gonlburn, Henry Schnoor, an old man living alone, was found with his skull battered in. There are indications that on his entering the house someone hidden inside felled him. His purseis missing from his pocket. At Young, Nicholas Jasprizza, a well known orchardist, and his wife, were in the bedroom, when two shotß were fired through thewindow. Jasprizza. was killed, and Ilia wife wounded slightly. A man in. Jos* prizza's employ has been arrested. Received 1.2 a.m., May 10th. THE SONOMA. The mail steamer Sonoma sailed at t o'clock tcrday. Received 9.7 a.m., May 9th. NAUTICAL ENQUIRY. PERTtf, May 9. At the enquiry concerning the wreck bl the Highland Forest, the captain was adjudged guilty of careless navigation, and his certificate was suspended for twelve months.