AMONG THE PAPUANS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 142, 2 November 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

AMONG THE PAPUANS

■•SPOILING FOR A FIGHT." The Lieutenant-Governor of Papua returned to Melbourne recently from a visit to the Muffulu district and the Upper Vetapu, and his report furnishes interesting excerpts. Much of the country covered had not been traversed since the time of Sir William Macgregor's expedition to rescue Mr. Wriford and his companions from the Goromani, 15 years ago, and some, as far as could be learned, had not before been visited by Europeans. The objects of the visit were to make peace among the tribes to the east of Mail'ulu, and to ascertain whether the Upper Vetapu would be a suitable site for one of the new Government station. The Onuiige villages, he says, are a message to the Lieutenant-Governor at Kairuku, saying, in effect, that they were "spoiling for a light," but that they would keep the peace if he promised W visit them and settle their disputes. On arrival he found that not only had there been no actual hostilities, but that peace had been practically made, and it only remained for him to confirm.it.

"I was greeted everywhere with open arms," he adds. "Fugitives came in from the bush, and village shouted to village to announce the arrival of the GoVernor, who was making peace. There is reason to hope that the pacification of this district may be permanent, and I felt justified in proclaiming a general amnesty." Onunge village, on the upper Vetapu, is considered by the Lieutenant-Governor as the site for' the new Government station. The Onunge village, ho says, are built on a ridge between the Vetapu and one of its affluents, and as they are situated at a height of some 6000 ft.or 7000 ft above sea level, the climate is probably healthy. At a rather low estimate there are probably 500 people at Onunge. Other villages, some apparently larger, some smaller, are scattered about on both sides of the Vetapu. The scenery of this part of the Territory is extremely picturesque. If one may believe what the Onunge themselves say, the report continues, they never practised cannibalism or head; hunting, nor have they any knowledge ol sorcery. When pressed on the latter point, they pointed to a very old, decrepit man who was present. ''lt we knew 'purri purri,'" they said, "do you suppose that old Esombe here would be alive' We would have killed him long aero" The weapons of the tribe are spears and bows and arrows. At one time thev had stone adzes, but now all seem to'have steel tomahawks. They wore extraordinary ornaments behind their cars-small birds and even rats tails, pieces of bamboo, and birds claws nre worn.