THE SOUTH SEA LABOR TRADE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3002, 9 November 1882, Page 3

THE SOUTH SEA LABOR TRADE.

SECOND EDITION

A schooner called the Roderick Dim* which has just arrived at Maryborough* (Queensland), with 303 laborers, gives a very cheerful account of things in the Islands., Shortly after leaving Maryborough on her outward voyage, an insane islander ran amuck. He tomahawked Mr Fellows, the Government agent, but the “madman” was promptly shot dead. While the Roderick Dhu was recruiting islanders, the boats were frequently fired upon from the shore. Rifles have become so plentiful in the island generally resorted to for labor that recruiting has become exceedingly difficult and dangerous. Some of the Roderick Dhu’s “ return boys ” were,landed at Psala, and immediately seized and murdered, and eaten by the inhabitants. The Roderick Dhu spoke another schooner, the Helena, also from Maryborough, which reported that three boys were landed at Appii, and immediately murdered by the people there. Two of the bodies, were recovered by a boat’s crew from the Helena, and buried at sea. The Helena further reported that while the boats were away recruiting, a number of islanders boarded the schooner and incited* the recruits to seize the vessel. When the boats returned a serious conflict ensued, and the mutiny was quelled not before three of the islanders had been killed.