DOUGLAS MAWSON TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1924, Page 3

DOUGLAS MAWSON TRAGEDY.

•CtIJ'HAL/AN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION WOMEN SEEN ALIVE. MELBOURNE, September I. The Minister of Home Affairs has received an nUicial message supporting the statement that the women from the Douglas Mawson are still alive. The message says three Arnheim Land natives stated they had recently seen two white women, a mother and daughter alive amongst the Arnheim t ri'iesmeii.

A report from Darwin says that a block hoy from the scene of the wreck of the Douglas Mawson, brings a story of lour men in a motor launch, who landed from the wrecked steamer. Finding the locality unsuitable, they put to sea again. Their boat capsized and all were drowned. Of the other survivors who reached the shore, till the males were speared by the blacks while asleep. The two women wore taken captive. The hoy declared he had seen these women alive about :• week ago.

PARLEY WITH NATIVES. MELBOURNE, September I. One member of the Douglas Mawson rescue expedition, accompanied by several natives, has gone into the locality where the two women arc supposed to he captive, with a view to negotiating for their relase. Failing friendly overtures, the expedition will proceed to search the country. THE STORY PROBABLE. 'Received this day at 8 a.m.) MELBOURNE. Sept. I. Further unofficial messages trom Darwin strengthens the ease for the Douglas Mawson women being found alive. The news is mostly I win native sources, hut so categorical in detail that it. makes it probable that it is founded on fact. According to the stories various attempts to escape have been made by (he captives, hut these were frustrated by the cunning of the captors. One rumour ahu 11, however, is regarded in nUicial circles by those acquainted with trihn-1 customs of the blacks, as unlikely, is that both women have given birth to half-caste children. WOMEN'S SAFETY CONFIRMED. DARWIN. Kept. o.

Official crnifirmatiui has been received by flu' Administrator of The Nortlcru Territory that both the Douglas Mawsiui women arc alive al ISradshaw .- inlet. The police party are proceeding immediately to Arnhcim Day to bring the women back. The autborities. who at first were scenlical. now have no doubt at least, that one child was barn of tlm elder wonrin not long alter landing. Therefore, it is white, and not halfcaste ns rumoured. i 'Phe women nr** Mrs Wil’elt. age* ft-"), and her daughter agi'd I I.