Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Temuka Leader, Issue 2570, 19 October 1893, Page 3

Massacre at New Hebrides.—News from the New Hebrides by the steamer Tanais, which recently arrived at at Sydney, gives particulars of another terrible massacre by the natives of the island of Pentecost. It occurred in the early part of the month, the victims being a copramaker from Ambryn named George Lifon and two natives, forming portion of the crew of his vessel, a small cutter, sailing under the American flag. It appears that Lifon visited Pentecost for the purpose of recruiting labour, and early < ne morning, accompanied by two natives, left his vessel in a small boat for the shore to bring off several natives recruits. Not returning at a late hour, those on board the American vessel became alarmed, and on a second boat landing, it was discovered that the natives had seized the first boat, and massacred its occupants. The bodies of the copramaker and one native were found on the beach horribly mutilated. No trace could be found of the native, and it is concluded that the savages have taken it to their village for a cannibalistic feast. It is stated that the unfortunate man Lifon some time ago afforded Captain Davis, of H.M.S. Royalist, assistance in punishing the natives of Pentecost for some outrage, and the massacre was in revenge for what he has done. The French warship Scorff has been ordered to proceed to Pentecost to investigate the matter.