A SALVED EMBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1921, Page 2

A SALVED EMBLEM.

CALLS US TROUBLE IN AFRICA. “THE TIMES” SERVICE. (Received,This Day at 9.5 n.m.) LONDON, Octolier 15. An extraordinary light is cast on African superstitions by the discovery of the sacred Golden Stool of the Ashantis.

A special despatch from the Gold Coast announces several murders have occurred in consequence. It is report ed the stool was originally concealed by four men, three of whom were immediately decapitated, and the fourth died without revealing the'secret. The stool was accidentally discovered during road construction by two chiefs of Nkoranza near Coomassie, who took possession of it, stripped off the gold, and fearing the consequences fled to Coomassie where they surrendered to the authorities. One golden bell was seen in possession of a northern native, who has since met a peculiarly painful death by poison. Three custodians of the tool, fearing the results of their negligence, ued to Coomassie and sms rendered. They are guarded by .Wesr African frontier troops all of whom are standing to arms and picketing public buildings.

The Ashantis demand the release of the prisoners in order to put them to death by prescribed tortures. The prisoners hog the guardians to kill, or allow them to commit suicide. They resolutely with-hold information of what they have done with the relies, fearing the authorities are not strong enough to protect them, for if the hiding place is revealed nothing can save them from an ultimate unpleasant death- The threatening situation betwpen Europeans and natives is now less serioiiß than it was. The chief fear, is of retributovy Yfnge. nnce among the tribes.