Suspected Killings In New Guinea

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 11

Suspected Killings In New Guinea

INZP.A -Reuter—Copyright)

PORT MORESBY. May 14

An administration patrol left Rabaul by trawler last night to investigate the reported killing of ar. unknown number of natives in an isolated village on New Britain’s Gazelle Peninsula. The patrol, which is expected to be away .0 days, was scheduled to get to Pondo. 15 miles from the alleged scene of the incident, some time this morning. The acting district officer for New Britain. Mr E. J Emanuel, is leading the patrol He has no radio, and details of his investigation will not be known until he returns to Rabaul The first reports of the killings were given to administration authorities in Rabaul by a native who claimed to be a survivor. In an official report to the administrator (Brigadier D

M. Cleland) the New Britain District Commissioner (Mr J R Foldi) said that the native claimed he was a plantation worker. The native could not be questioned fully. Mr Foldi said, but from his story it appeared that he and a group of fellow workers were attacked while making their way across the Gazelle Peninsula to Rabaul. Mr Foldi’s report made no mention of how many natives were involved or how many were killed. No reason has been given why the plantation workers were attacked or exactly who attacked them. The native survivor is now reported to be under administration protection in Rabaul He has a minor head wound which he claims he received while making his escape during the attack.