Outrage by New Guinea Natives.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 179, 20 November 1886, Page 2

Outrage by New Guinea Natives.

News from Dinner Island, via Cooktown, confirms the murder of Captain Craig and crow, of the ketch Emily, f rivato information states that on September uid Charles Berlin, a trader, having anchored his boat off Maiwawa Village, at the heid of Milne Bay, seven or eight catioe3 came alongside. As the natives had no tomahawks or spears, Berlin allowed t,hem on board. Shortly afterwards they mado an attack and threw him overboard, intending to drown him Fortunately ho fell into one of the canoe?, and by thy aid of the rigging he got on deck again, whereupon four cr five nativoa got hold of him as^ain, but he managed to draw his revolver and shot one dead. He then below to g6t a rifle, and the natives decamped. Berlin had five Dinner Island natives on board at the timo, but they did not rendor him the fclightest agyHtance. Berlin then made for l'inner Island, and reported the matter to MrForbe?, Staigwan. Uuless something ia done in the way of punishment, it is feared all the Europoans will be murdered. A telegram from Thursday Island, via Cooktown, states that the steamer Victory arrived from Now Guinea on the 6th instant. She brings a large cargo of copra and heche-demer, and 12 passengers. Native affairs on the coast of New Guinea aro in a very unsettled state owing to the successful murder of Captain Craig and crew at Johannet Island. At Dinmer Island the teacher keeps watch at night to guard against a surprise, as the natives want heads in payment for some natives who were drowned by the capsizing of a boat some months ago. At Motu Motu the na tives have attempted to kill the teacher M r Edelfield, Messrs Burns, Philip, and Co.'s trader, hasgoneto Port Moresby to interview the Deputy High Commissioner in reference to the present Btate of affairs. There is a general feeling that unless Captain Craigs murderers are punished other murders will follow quickly.