Cannibal Revival.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5247, 16 April 1908, Page 1

Cannibal Revival.

Desperate from Starvation,

The Attack on Mr. Welling?,

Anaooount of the murderous attack by a native at Futuna upon Mr Wei lings, purser of the steamer Kouth Australian, was reoeived on the return of the vessel to Sydney. Captain Davidson reported that the steamer arrived at Futuna from WrlHs on February 23. The last boat with cargo left the ship about 3 a.m. Mr Wellings went on shore in the boat to

seoure any orders from the priest, who also endorses the bill of health. About 9.30 a.m. word came from the shore that Mr Wediugs had been cut in the arm. ShorLly afterwards the boat untl the pilot’s boat were both seen pulling from the shore in great haste. When the boat came alongside it was seen that Mr Wellings was wounded and bleeding very much. His left arm was cut almost right through, the bones being severed und the arm only hanging by the llesh on the lower part of the arm. The cut extended from the elbow inwards and downward.

The wound was dressed, and it was decided to make for Koturnu with ail possible speed, as there was u doctor there. Kutuma was reached alter u run of 30 hours, and the patient was taken to the liuspiLal. Dr MacDonald, tlm Resident Commissioner, decided that amputation would be useless, as spreading gangrene had got into the shoulder, and probably tlioro was blood poisoning, and it would be impossible to save Mr Wellings’ life. From statements made by Mr Wellings, Mr Max Wendt and Mail, a Koluman chief, and Esau, a Fijian, it appeurs that all four were walking along the truck towards the priest’s house, Mr Wellings leading. They were met by three men, one of whom was carrying an axe. The three stopped and stepped off the track. One man swung his axe with both hands, and when Mr Wellingß was opposito, made a Bavage cut at his head. Mr Wellings started and threw up his arm. The axe thus just missed his head, but clove through thevurm. Mr Wellings turned and ran back with the others to the house of Mr Opperman, a trader, about 60 yards away. Hot a word was spoken, and Mr Wellings affirmed he had never seen the man in his life before to his knowledge. Mr Opperman stated (says the Polynesian Gazette) that there was not a oocoanut on the island and very little yams or taro, in fact many of the people have nothing to eat. They cooked leaves off the trees with any fish they caught. They were becoming desperate through starvation. Some of the natives went on board and told the ltotumn passengers to go ashore as they had planned to take the ship, but the vessel not anchoring had doubtless spoiled all their plans, and they went ashoro in a hurry when the word was passed to the Bhip that Mr Wellings lmd been out down. Captain Davidson stated that about ten months ago a hurricane devastated Futuna, and at Gomee months later there was a plaguo of caterpillars, and all tho shoots and anything green were destroyed. It is very difficult to keep off stowaways. They swim off’ and scramble on board vessels, and will even show fight when being ejected. They are getting desperate, and the captain added ho wus afraid that the trader, who had many firm friends among the natives, was in danger of loßiag his life.