A Ferocious Struggle.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 March 1910, Page 1

A Ferocious Struggle.

S ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIANS |''R[/db. 1. .From Port Djirwin, Mr McPhorsoii, a tradtT, brings news of the tribal fight, which occurred on .]«unary 24 :tfc Juhction Bay. ). Ho had a beclie <le nier fishing 3. camp at Rolling Bay, which appears to be neutral territory be- _ tween the Junction Bay tribo and the Liverpool Biver tribe. On the day of the fight lie observed bis Junction Bay natives in full warpaint, with white faces amd yely low logs. He was told a party of Liverpool natives wore concealed I in the thick jungle 300 yards distant. .Soon after the day's work ■was finished there was a weird, blood-curdling war-whoop, and then between, thirty and forty ghastly white-painted figures dashed into the open from their "lace of conrJ ee-alment, while .a still greater L /number of Junction Bay natives came opposite the thicket to meet them. The contending parties met 011 a dear open grassy sward. Showers of spears were exchanged. They • s were thrown with exceeding skill and strength, while the dexterity with which the spears wore dodged - or warded off was amazing. One of Mr M'Pherson's boys was piercH by a spear. u Then the natives came to close , quarters, and a ferocious struggle ensued. The Junction! boys, armed with tomahawks, trepan knives • and pieces of iron, waded in. One magnificent native, armed with a huge dub, rushed an opponent, * but, to the surprise of Mr M'J'lier- ■ son, the Junction boy warded off : the blow, and with a tomahawk cleft his opponent's head from crown to base. The lvattle lasted about an hour. ? The advantage swayed from side r to side, but gradually the superior weapons of the Junction Bay natives prevailed, and tho attackers borke for cover, beintr hotly pur- : sued, -mid wounded or hacked to . death by the victors. Eleven were killed. The bodies , wore heaped together and burnt.