THE LOUISDALE GROUP—A HORRIBLE CANNABALISTIC ATROCITY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 335, 19 January 1889, Page 6

THE LOUISDALE GROUP— A HORRIBLE CANNABALISTIC ATROCITY.

More than ordinary infcerebfc 'lias attached to this group of islands, off the ISTew Guinea coast, since the discovery of the Sudest Goldfield. Both H.M.?. Unit and H.M.s Swinger have been do,\n theie lately, and it is in connection with the last-named vessel's arrival at Sudesfc on October 3, ( that the following particular^ are narrated. On the date named the Swineor hove in sight with Dr. Macgregor on board. He and hi-a party landed at Sudesb for a look round, and indulged in some amateur prospecting. On the following day the Hygeia arrived, and on the 7th the Lucy and Adelaide, with 50 mote miners from Cooktown. Representations were made to Dr. MacGregor, and he agreed to take 20 piospeetots over to Rossel Island in tho Hygeia. They started on October 8, and, on the following day were taken in tow by the Swinger 'to Wolla Island, two miles and a half by three-quar-ters of a mile in area, containing about 30 inhabitants--. The island is of slate formation, with quartz veins interspersed ; principally Scrubby land,' but' with clear country' aboub the centre of the island. Here the huts are built, upon the ground instead' of on platforms,' as ab other places, and, cocoanuts, bananas,-sugar-cane, bread-fruit, etc. abound." The island' has an historical interest. It wt?s off ib that some 30 yeais ago a Portuguese vessel with 300 Chinese on board \vas wrecked. All ' Hands gob ashore, and the white crew left in the ship's boats for Timor Island .to get assistance,' leaving all the .JChineso on" the island. The crew were absent about two months, during which time the natives of Wolla had made prisoners of the Chinese, fenced them in, and afterwards taken them to Rossel Island, where they killed and ate them' at the rate of" three per day. On a vessel coming from Timor to rescue the castaways, it was found that only three of the unfortunate Celestials were left of 4,he original 300. . From Wolla Island the prospecting party took two boys as guides and ■ interpretatois -to Rossel Island, bub they cleaved out atf the first opportunity. - . .