ERUPTION VICTIMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 133, 7 June 1937, Page 9

ERUPTION VICTIMS

NEW BRITAIN NATIVES

HUNDREDS BELIEVED DEAD

PRIEST'S REPORT

United Press Association.—By Electric Tele giwi.h.—Coi.yrlßht. SYDNEY, June 6.

Tragic news comes from the Rev. Father George Bogershausen, who is a Roman Catholic Mission father in New Britain, reporting that 281 natives perished in the volcanic eruptions.

The victims were overwhelmed at Tavui and Walaur, in the vicinity dt Vulcan Island.

The natives belonged to the Gunan and Tunan tribes. They consider themselves the "True People," and number about 25.000. They live in the bush and jungle and occupy the New Britain coast.

A later report expresses the fear that literally hundreds of natives are dead. They are chiefly women and children, whose decomposing bodies are covered with a thin layer of pumice dust.

WHITE MAN MISSING.

Another white man, in addition to the photographer who is belie\red to have been lost, is missing at Rabaul. He is a wireless operator from the freighter Golden Bear.

At least 80 per cent, of the refugees at Kokopo are reluctant to return to Rabaul. They declare that a new capital should be established, preferably at Kokopo. The Administrator, Brigadier-General W. McNicoll, has reached no decision yet, but he has been surprised at the smaliness of the damage in Rabaul, which, he says, merely requires cleaning up. This is proceeding. The relief ship Malaita arrived toi day with foodstuffs, bedding, and medical comforts. (Received June 7, 10.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. It is now believed that 300 natives were killed in the Karavia district of New Britain. Heavy damage was caused to the plantations for miles around, and one coffee property worth £40,000 has been entirely demolished. For the first time for a week no earth tremor was felt at Kokopo on Saturday night.