A SOUTH SEA MASSACRE Sanguinary Affray on a labour Vessel. Fifteen Persons Killed. Dunedin, June 9.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 156, 12 June 1886, Page 3

A SOUTH SEA MASSACRE Sanguinary Affray on a labour Vessel. Fifteen Persons Killed. Dunedin, June 9.

The Hobart papers by the Doric contain the following telegram from Brisbane : — " The schooner Young Dick, which has arrived at Marlborough, reported that a desperate conflict with the natives i occurred at Malayta Island on May 20th, resulting in the death of about 15 persona, including Mr Popham, i Government Agent, and Martin (the cook), the sailmaker, a recruit, and about a dozen natives While the captain and two boats' crews were ashore recruiting, 'about 50 natives (with their tomahawks concealed in yams and leaves) boarded the vessel in canoes ostensibly to recruit, and, at a signal given by the chiof, the entire party attacked the crew. The, mate, Mr Marr, threw off his assailants and seized the firearms on board and successfully defended himself from the half-closed door of the cabin, A seaman named Catteoden, - who was asleep below, hastened on deck with arms, and encountered the natives. He then ascended the oretop and , shot down a number of the, savages, and forced them to retreat, and he then descended and released the mate, whose rifle was broken, and who was incapablepf further light. He also shot another savage, whom he found in the agent's cabin. They then armed the recruits, numbering 14, with tomahawks, and were prepared to, resist a second attack 'which was threatened but did not come off..- On the captain's return to the vessel an awful scene of carnage, met his view. 'Four white men were hacked to pieces, and their brains were bespattered about the deck. Mr Popham was, .lying in hie cabin with pen and paper in ,his, hands/ and his head split open. One reoruit who in joined, the resiatance.and. five natives , , who were' shot,- w,ere, lying about the deck. Marr and. Gattenden aver that they>ehqti many othera who ; went overboard. , J .The, bodies from the , vessel , were buried at; sea, , and the Young , Dick ; sailed home. ; The; brig Janet Steward was 'successfully' and, looted at' the ! sarne 7 place, by the same' trib.e five years ago.* r ', w . <V •: /;;'.-. -»; "" - -»' *« '"■ '»..v>< 1 Sir • Eoberb - Stout aimph'- says : ««J s told The women of Jfipan ard rapidly adopting'