THE TRAGEDY IN GERMAN NEW GUINEA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 405, 2 May 1902, Page 3

THE TRAGEDY IN GERMAN NEW GUINEA.

AN ACCOUNT BY MR WOLFF.

MURDER OF A WOMAN AND CHILD. DETAILS OF THE OUTRAGE. The German steamer Tanglin, which arrived at Sydney on April 20, brought further particulars of the tragedy in German New Guinea. It appears that on the, morning of April 3 news was received by the German authorities to the effect that a number of savages had attacked Rudolph Wolff’s station (Paparatava), and that Mrs Wolff and her infant child had been slain. It was at first thought that Miss Carrie Coe, a visitor to the house, had also fallen a victim, but it subsequently transpired that sho succeeded in effecting her escape. The police authorities were at onco notified of the murders, and 100 men

were despatched to the scene. A large body of volunteers also proceeded to the station.

The body of Mrs Wolff was found lying at the foot of the steps with countless wounds on the face and body, inflicted by tomahawks and spears. Alongside was the body of her four-months-old baby with a tomahawk gash on its little face, and near by was found the outstretched body of tho black nurse, also butchered by the savages in the same cruel way.

The contents of the house were completely destroyed, and a considerable sum of money was stolen. The police started at onco in pursuit of the savages, and during the first two days 10 prisoners were taken and about 30 savages wore killed. Nearly all the Europeans and over 1500 laborers were scattered over the Paparatava district, giving chase to the natives, burning their houses, destroying their plantations; in fact, sparing only the women and children. The steamer Tanglin, which was in port at the time, experienced difficulty in getting the men to unload the cargo for Herbertshohe, as almost the whole of the laborers wore employed in stamping out the kanakas connected with the murders.

STATEMENT BY AN EYE-WITNESS Miss Coe, who was presont in the house at the time of the tragedy, made the following statement: — 11 The chief of the Paparatava was in the morning at the house of Mrs Wolff. Just as soon as Mr Wolff left his house the chief also disappeared. Soon afterwards a lot of natives came and offered to sell Mrs Wolff a pig. Mrs Wolff was upon the upper stops, and tried to bargain with the natives, but they demanded a very high price for the pig, their object evidently being to throw her off her guard. I stood at the verandah near by. The black nurse and the child were in the house, when suddenly I heard the sound of a blow. I turned round and beheld Mrs Wolff, with a terrible tomahawk wound in her head, falling down the steps. At the same time I received a fearful blow on the head from a blunt end of a tomahawk. I reeled, and then received a second blow, and fell down six steps into the yard. From this position I was rescued by a Solomon Islander—the cook in Mrs Wolff’s employ—who took me into the kitchen and locked the door. The natives searched in vain ; they could not find me. After the savages had left I managed to escape by concealing myself in the bush, where I remained till evening, and, covered by the darkness of the night, found safe refuge at the next mission station. From there I arrived safely at Herbertshohe.”

The following statement was made by Mr Wolff: —“ I started from my home at seven o’clock in the morning, riding to my plantation to give my orders to the working men. I had met the chief of Paparatava at my premises, never thinking for a moment that he was watching me. , When about ten minutes’ ride from my home I heard a terrible cry, and suspecting some savage treachery I at once turned around and galloped full speed back to my home, and found to my horror that my house was surrounded by 400 savages. I made an attempt to enter, but was repulsed by countless weapons of all kinds. My poor wife and child were lying dead in the back yard, and I turned away from the ghastly scene and rode in wild excitement to procure assistance.”

Mrs Wolff and her baby were buried on the morning of April 4, the remains being followed to their last resting-place by the entire European community. The only reason which can be advanced for the deed is that the kanakas of Paparatava dislike whites residing in their neighborhood, and desire to remain by themselves. The natives had invariably received tho greatest kindness and consideration at the hands of the Wolff family.

On April 20 there were 20 cases of typhoid fever in Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney^ Owing to the unsatisfactory state of the finances, it is proposed by. the Queensland Government to reduce the salaries ol Civil servaats. Shareholders in the Bank of Australasia'were in a generous mood at tfie annual meeting in London., In moving the adoption of the report, the Chairman said that in New Zealand trading conditions were The wool sales now in progress showr ed an improvement' in price, which, however, was only, moderate. Frozen meat had been subject to considerable

fluctuations, but as the principles of supply and demand became better known in Australasia this might be altered, The Chairman then went on to refer to the magnificent way in which Australasia had volunteered aid to the Mother -Country. (Cheers). The public utterances of the political chiefs there had been endorsed by the population. He then moved the adoption of tiie report and the declaration of a dividend at the rate of ten per cent, per annum,, or £2 per share for the half year, this having been carried, spontaneous generosity displayed itself in the body of .the room. One shareholder proposed, and the motion was seconded in two or three places,

that the directors’ remuneration be increased from £SOOO to £6OOO a year, while another shareholder also advocated the payment of a bonus of 5 or 10 per cent, to the staff on account of it being Coronation year. The Chairman said an extraordinary meeting would be called in October to consider the proposals. If you want something Choice and Stylish in Gents’ Ties, call at C. Rosie and Co’s. A splendid range of Choice Designs in the Latest Styles.