FURIOUS TRIBAL FIGHT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9994, 15 March 1910, Page 5

FURIOUS TRIBAL FIGHT.

GRAPHIC DETAILS. Received March 14, 8.45 a.m. PORT DARWIN, March 14. Mr McPherson, a trader, brings news of the tribal fight, which occurred on 24th January.

McPherson had a beche de mer fishing camp at Rolling Bay, which appears to be neutral territory between the Junction Bay tribe and the Liverpool River tribe. On the day of the fight McPherson observed his Junction Bay natives in full warpaint, with white faces and yellow iegs. He was told a party of Liverpool natives was concealed in the thick jungle 300 yards distant. Soon after the day's work was finished there was a weird, blood-curdling warwhoop, and then between thirty and forty ghastly white-painted figures dashed into the open from their place of concealment, while a still greater number ot Junction Bay natives came opposite the thicket to meet them.

The contending parties met on a clear, open grassy sward. Showers of spears were exchanged. They were thrown with exceeding skill and strength, while the dexterity with which the spears were dodged or warded off was amazing-. As the spears became scarcer, one of McPherson's boys was pierced by a

spear. Then the natives came to close quarters, and a ferocious struggle ensued. The Junction boys, armed with tomahawks, trepan knives, and pieces of iron, waded in. One magnificent native, armed with a huge club, rushed an opponent, but, tc the surprise of Mr McPherson, the Junction boy warded off the blow, and with a tomahawk cleft his opponent's head from crown to base

Ihe battle lasted about half an hour. The advantage swayed from side to side, but gradually the superior weapons of the Junction Bay natives prevailed, apd the attackers broke for cover, being hotly pursued, and wounded or hacked to death by the victors. Eleven were killed. The bodies were heaped together and burnt.