MASSACRES AT MORRESBY ISLAND.
A tehgtam frem Townsville in the ‘Argus’ states that the ketch Lalla Rookh arrive"* there from New Guinea in charge of the mate (Proctor), who reported that Captain Frier was killed by the natives of Hoop-iron Bay, Port Moresby, on the 29th July. T.it’le is known of the circumstances, but it appears that the mate had been at an adjacent island repairing a cutter belonging to a mao named Fucia Augustine, at a beohe-de-raer fishing station, and that the Lalla Roohk had been engaged in taking supolles of wood and water to the fishing station. Captain Frier left the station, and Fucia advised him to take a Winchester rifle, in addition to his other arms, as he believed that the Natives were danger ous. The captain did this, and it is presumed tbat while the bauds were engaged in getting wood, the Natives, who hart hitherto been apparently friendly, suddenly attacked the captain while he was sitting on the skylight, as stains of blood are now there. 11 is presumed that the captain then went below, and came on deck again to the forward hatch, where be received other blows. The Natives carried off th ■ body. (>ne of the crew who bapp tied to be on shore heard the distnr -ance, made his escape, and hid himself under coooanut leaves during the day. He kept a look out at nijht, aad two days afterwards swam out to the mate’s bo it, when they came to take away the ketch. H- savs that he saw the Natives with Captain Frier’s head, and eating the brains. The mate Proctor was info-med of the tragedy by Captain Miller at the bcohe de mer station, aud went to the scene, where he foun 1 the ketch coin p etely looted, the deck covered with blood, the provisions scattered a out, and the rifles, tomahawks, etc., a I sto'en. A Native teacher named Dick accompanied Proctor, ami was tiied a-. Tne Natives were very defiant, stating that when a man-of-war came they w >uld fight. It is said that the Natives of several villages wire engage ! in the tragedy.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DUNST18850918.2.9
Bibliographic details
Dunstan Times, Issue 1229, 18 September 1885, Page 3
Word Count
358MASSACRES AT MORRESBY ISLAND. Dunstan Times, Issue 1229, 18 September 1885, Page 3
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in