SERIOUS CHARGES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1965, 23 January 1914, Page 7

SERIOUS CHARGES.

BY A MISSION DOCTOR. THE AMBRYM ERUPTION, ... TREATMENT.OF REFUGEES. By Ttloßratili—Prose Association- Cofivrlthf Sydnay, January 'I'L Tho "Daily Telegraph" stiites that ib understands tlint Or. Bowie csi.rao in Sydney te Jay before the .Prcsbyteriau Mission Heavtt details of certain proceedings during the'first Aisibryni outbreak. Tho statuNichtii published are from missionary sources, to tho effect tlint a French recruiting ship went to thq island during tijo progress of tho eruption, and when tho natives wore terrorstricken secured a mimber 01 recruits, who were taken to various plantations, where they are now working against their will. Another statement is that a number of natives were driven to a narrow nock of land and a guard mounted over them. Tho threat was limdo that any endeavouring to escape woiikl bo inline* ditttely shot. Subsequently the lsaiim were placed aboard the recruiting ship and detained by force, The French version is that the captain of tho recruiting vessel was actuated solely by the instincts of humanity in rescuing tho natives from -perishma and that Dr. Bowie, by his interference, hindered tho French work of saving lives. On the occasion of the second volcanio outbreak at Ambrym Island on New Year's Day,, most of • tho natives osI raped, lint a hundred in the villajro of FanbaiiK had their retreat cut elf by the lava streams. When Dr. Bowie left their fate, was inikiiown. To states that in the first outbreak about 1)0 natives perished, some being overtaken by the iiery lava and others bciup; drowned in the- sea,' many being scakl«d to death in tho boiling' waters of tho bay in trying tg make their escape. ■ . ! It is estimated that it will cost at [ least _ £10,000 to rebuild tho Mission Hospital, but as there are aiow ten active vnloanoes at Anibrym, probably tho new hospital will be erected at Male liuia, or Mate. . -. .