OUTRAGE BY BLACKS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2745, 1 December 1894, Page 3

OUTRAGE BY BLACKS.

A Perth telegram of November 12 gives the following particulars of this outrage, briefly reported by cable : A desperate encounter with natives at West Kimberley, resulting in the murder of Constable Richardson and two stockmen, is reported. The Premier has received a telegram from Mr Lukin, of Leonard Station, near Derby, informing him of the murders. Mr Lukin states that on the sth inst. he sent two native women to Richardson’s bouse, with letters for the mail, and when they returned they informed him that Richardson was lying dead in the house. There were no natives about the place then. The store had been broken into and all the provisions gone. Richardson had seventeen prisoners on the chain, and was to bring them into Derby. Mr Lukin was unable to leave his station. Two stockmen named Burke and Gibbs were shot by natives on the Bth inst. at Devil’s Gorge, half a mile from Lillmooloora, while watering cattle. The blacks were the same as those who killed Richardson. They would now have more firearms and a large quantity of ammunition.

At a large meeting held at Derby on Saturday morning a resolution was carried to the effect that the Government be asked to outlaw the tribes inhabiting the district in which the outrages occurred. From Lennard station to Leopold Ranges such action was urgently needed in order to ensure the safety of the residents and travellers, and especially as .fresh outrages were anticipated. Messrs Lukin and others sent into Derby, appealing for assistance. The natives concerned have seized about 1000 rounds of ammunition and several rifles and revolvers, as well as a load of provisions belonging to Burke and Gibbs, the murdered stockmen. Public feeling is very strong in Derby on the inefficient state of the police force. No men are available, nor any horses, and though the inspector is very anxious to take prompt action be is powerless under the present conditions. Mr Field, of Derby, replying to a telegram from the Premier, stated that they did not wish two or three miserable blacks brought in to suffer for the crimes of the tribes. What was required was the outlawry of the entire district. Until that was done the Leonard track would be unsafe for travelers. Public feeling there was at the boiling point on the subject, the murdered men being the personal friends of many residents of the district. The Premier again replied, promising that a punitive expedition would be at once organised.