AN ISLAND MASSACRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 266, 3 November 1908, Page 2

AN ISLAND MASSACRE.

SETTLER AND FAMILY KILLED BY BLACKS. PUNITIVE FORCE TRACKING THE MURDERERS. Sydney, November 2. Details hare been received of tho murder of the Greig family at tho Island of Santo. The Cireigs were sitting down to ted. in one of the copia sheds when ten natives rushed the building, Seizing a tomahawk, one of the natives struck Mr Greig from behind, cutting his skull completely in half. Robbery, seems to have been the object of the crime. Immediately the blacks were satisfied that Greig was dead they began looting the station. The whole place was ransacked. The Misses Greig, who were guldenmg, escaped, notice at first. When their presence was discovered the mob

attacked Ada and killed her ivilh n jjiiii , ( stolon from her father. Many bullft wounds wore afterwards found in tlui body. A younger daughter, Elizabeth, was cut lo pieces with tomahawks ami knives. A son. aged 14, who had been working a mile nway. escaped. H> found the. bodies on'returning' home and hurried away to the mission station. It is reported that other settlers of Santo, expressed the opinion that Gr'ei" saw the bush natives approaching, but" as they were not carrying weapons, he presumed their intentions wore pene«ful. The men. who live in the liiiisi come Irom it village len miles distant I 'lhe coastal natives, who are ChristianI isi'd, are prnctieallv civilised. They live, at peace with the whites. . Friendly natives state that the bush, men were heavily laden with loot w'len they commenced the return journey I lie warship Prometheus arrived -t Sonlo within a day or two of the massaero and landed a punitive expedition. Hie l'reiich authorities at New Caledonia despatched the cruiser Kersaint Island. Assisted by friendly natives, the pnni live forces are now tracking the murdefers.