Character of New Hebrides Natives.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3672, 1 October 1880, Page 2

Character of New Hebrides Natives.

The natires of the New Hebrides Group (from one of which the .murderer comes—Apia) are recognised as. one, of the most treacherous races in. the South Sea Islands, and many are the accounts which reach us of their untrustworhy character and the atrocities perpetrated by them. The list of NeW Hebrides victims is a rery long one, and it is only possible to enumerate a few'of the most recent instances in which, these natives have,, with but little or no provocation, ratblessly killed and tortured ships' crews : and other persons visiting the Group. One instance is recorded whWe two gentlemen, Messrs Bell and Scott, who were on a visit,to the New. Hebrides, were much interested in the .natives, and took a great deal of trouble in teaching them the' use .of different weapons. Not suspecting their true character, one of the gentlemen- wai explaining to a number of natives the use of a revolver which he carried, when one of them asked to look ad it. The weapon, was handed to the native, upon which be turned upon the. two gentlemen and shot them one'after the*'other. On more than one occasion it has been found ' necessary to despatch H;M. warships, to quell disturbances and punish-murderers. At South-west Bay, in Sandwich orTate, about thirty years ago a whaler iras take* through the assistance of the Maori portion of her crew, who then amalgamated with the local natives, i Some' short time ago an attempt ' was ' made' to introduce the cotton-clearing and manufacturo of cocoanut- fibre industries, but the attempt proved fruitless, and after a very short existence came to grief—the jfirst through- the murders and deaths of the various cotton planters of Tanna and Sandwid, who were the only support of the mill; and the second thraugli the inability to obtain cocoa-nuts, through the laziness of the natives. Its gloiies are now departed, and the machinery and stores which onee existed are now gone,, the old hands have either been killed or; left for other fields of labor, and the stores are gradually being left to their original desolation, it has now almost beoome a recognised faet that nothing will ever civUise these natives. The bes t that anyone can aV for them is to^ provide eatables' for them, for they care "but little for anything else; As for inspiring them with any religion*/ belief, or creating artificial 'wants-atifejtt£ them—the two certain me^ns of civiUitf tion—such is said to be. an impossibility. So long as the missionary gives 'them freely, or at slight expense, their few. requirements,. so long will they tolefl»t# his presence.—^Star.

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