THREE EXPLORERS MURDERED BY AUSTRALIAN NATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 5, 13 July 1865, Page 3

THREE EXPLORERS MURDERED BY AUSTRALIAN NATIVES.

pProm the Adelaide Observer.] Otje latest newspapers from Western Australia contain disheartening accounts from Camden Harbor. The place is to be abandoned as early as possible, on account of the want of fresh water and the coarseness of the pasturage. The subjoined extract from the report of the Government Resident will show the state of things which he found there:—“ The grass was coarse and parched the country stony and rocky to an extaoardinary degree, and the heat of the rocks was so great that the feet of animals feeding in the country became affected.” As to the settlers he says : —“ All were masters—there were no servants. Every man’s business was no man’s business ; the sheep and other stock were neglected, allowed to wander, scorched to death by the tropical heats, chilled to death by the tropical rains, lamed by the sharp burning stones, starved on the innutritions grass, killed by the native dogs, or lost for ever in the bush. Hay, bran, biscuit, and bacon were carried away by the high tides, and left rotting on the sea shore.” But the worst part of the matter is that 'three explorers, Messrs Panter, Harding, and Goldwyer, have been murdered by the aborigines. The following statement as to their death was received from a native who knew the murderers : The natives followed (the explorers), keeping out of sight .and then watched them until all fell asleep when, with increased numbers, they stole upon them, stuck spears through them all, and tried to keep them pinned to the ground, but without success, as they got on their feet, In spite of their wounds and all the efforts made to prevent them, and killed fifteen of the natives, and succeeded in driving the rest away. These knowing the white men to be mortally wounded, collected more natives, who were all night gathering from all quarters, and returned before daylight; this time overpowering the white men, who who were then unable to offer much resistance, by rush ing upon them with spears and club sticks. The next day they killed the horses with clubs. They have not touched an article belonging to the White men This information is believed by the authorities to be true. Thus another chapter is added to the long list of disasters incurred by Australian explorers.