MASSACRE OF MISSIONARIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12480, 17 September 1904, Page 3

MASSACRE OF MISSIONARIES.

FULLER DETAILS. WARNINGS UNHEEDED. THE BODIES HORRIBLY MUTILATED. United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEy, September 16. Fuller details of the massacre at New Britain-show that one of the mission boys warned Padre Rasher of the plot. Rumours of the impending attack were common, but were unheeded. Tomari shot Padre Rasher while he was lying in bed sick. - A second shot killed him when one of the Sisters was conducting the wounded missionary from the room. Tomari then shot the Sister dead. The shots were the signal for the murderers to cut down the victims, with whom they were conversing. The Evidence is that the whole plot was carefully prearranged. Some of the bodies were horribly mutilated.

Subsequently an attack was made on Vunamarita Station, and two more attacks took place while Padre Rasher's burial was proceeding. The whites at the settlement, by Bonka boys engaged on the plantation, beat off the murderers, killing some attackers.

Tomari sent a message that he would kill all the whites, also the "Governor and Bishop Couppe. After tli; massacre the natives feasted upon the looted stores. Tomari, in a speech, declared that he would drive all the whites out of the country.

Latest reports state that the punitive expedition shot 15 and captured 20 murderers Tomari was not caught.

At -the time of the massacre the ViceGovernor was absent in New Guinea suppressing an alleged plot to simultaneously massacre all the wliites -in German New Guinea: One of tie plotters, just before the time fixed for the attack on the whites, assembled a strong body of police, who kept the natives at bay till the arrival of the Vice-Governor. When the plotters were driven off the ringleaders were arrested. -: . It is rumoured that 300 -natives' were killed, though it- is officially stated that tliere were only six.

The natives also attacked the Catholic Mission Station at Berlinhaven, and speared one of the Brothers in the arm. The Father in charge of the station, using a rifle, beat the natives off.