PAPUAN SAVAGES SLAY WHITES WHILE RESTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17995, 4 November 1926, Page 14

PAPUAN SAVAGES SLAY WHITES WHILE RESTING.

MINERS MEET FATE IN JUNGLE’S DEPTHS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copy right. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, November 3. Three men were killed as the result of a clash with natives at Nakanai, on the north coast of New Britain. The men were named Collins, Fisher and Marley. A fourth, named Page, is missing. It is supposed that the men- had gone to which is sixty miles from Rabaul, to recruit native labour. The natives there are generally understood to be fairly peaceful. Details of the New Britain murders show that the men ventured into wild country in search of gold. The incident is supposed to be the aftermath of something which occurred during the visit of a previous party, as the natives of the district are not vicious as a rule. A punitive expedition left Rabaul immediately the news was received and is now reported to have reached the scene of the murders. An official report states that a prospector went into the district and pegged out a claim, but stated that he would not remain until the country was under control. After he left, the victims arrived and, not knowing the conditions, camped without taking any precautions in a native village and were resting prior to a meal when attacked.