EXAGGERATED REPORTS

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 103, 31 October 1938, Page 1

EXAGGERATED REPORTS

“TROUBLE, WITH NATIVES” / , •• INDIGNATION AT ItABAUL V ■ ———. ~. RABIAUL, Oct. 14. Residents were surprised List night to . hear reports from Australian broadcasting stations thsjub there laid been trouble with the natives of Ne>v Guinea, because they lmci been deprived of valuable land near ltubaul. Their surprise turned to indignation to-day when the facts became known, and the opinion was expressed that great harm might bo doiie by magnifying small incidents. An Administration survey party rcconjtiy began, marking out approximately 15 acres of land just beyond tho/Rabaul town boundary, for a new native hospital to replace the Bapindi let Hospital, which is situated at the foof, of the Matupi crater. The survey parfy was harassed by natives, a number of whom were lined for removing suryey pegs. When they continued their work, the surveyors were accompanied by two native constables to present a repetition of the incidentsT|}c proposed site for tlie hospital contains no villages, but a number of cocqfnut palms and other food trees are growing there, the destruction of wliicji will not affect native food supplies. The natives will he compensated on a Supreme Court assessment, and any trees lost by them will be paid for. The natives will receive Free medical and surgical treatment at the new hospital.