NEW BRITAIN MURDERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12604, 15 November 1926, Page 7

NEW BRITAIN MURDERS

CAUSE OF THE OUTRAGE STATEMENT BY SURVIVORS WOMAN INTERFERED WITH By Telegraph.—Press Aasn.—Copyright. SYDNEY, 'November 13. Details of the murders of the goldseekers in New Britain have been brought to Sydney by the steamer Montoro. It was stated that the trouble arose from interference with native women by black boys of a white man who travelled through this district some months ago. The natives followed their usual native custom of attacking the next white man’s party that came in view. When the party consisting of Fisher, Page, Britain, Nichols, Marley, ana Collins arrived at the native village they were surprised to find it deserted. They were about to partake of a meal when they were startled by a shower of missiles from all sides. Unable to reach their rifles, which they had left some distance away, the party scattered and ran for the jungle. As Britain ran he tripped and fell, knocking his head on a tree which rendered him unconscious. The natives failed to notice him lying in the undergrowth. When he came to, he crawled away and .reached the beach, where he found Nichols. A patrol party arrived, and they all proceeded to the scene of the murders. They buried the bodies of Collins, Marley, and Fisher. There was no trace of Page. The party then returned to Rabaul for reinforcements. NATIVES IN DANGEROUS MOOD The latest advices received at Sydney from Rabaul state that the Nahanai murderers will not be arrested without much bloodshed. The natives are in a dangerous mood, and are erecting barricades in the hope of defying the punitive expedition.