Hindu Pundits

ed after a few months’ leave in Aus tralia.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Saunders, of Kavieng, returned to the Territory, after a short holiday and business trip South.

Mr. and Mrs. V. B. Pennefather, of Tokua Plantation, Kokopo District, re turned after an absence of some months in Australia.

Mrs. Max Lees and children, of Ula veo Plantation, also returned after an absence of several months South.

Capt. F. R. Jolley, general manager of the Melanesia Co., returned from a hurried business trip.

Major Ayris, of the Police Depart ment, has returned from Hongkong per the S.S. Bremerhaven.

Mr. G. Furter has returned, after an absence of 12 months in Europe, per the Royal Dutch Packet steamer Le Maire.

The District Officer of New Britain, Mr. T. Taylor, together with Mrs. Tay lor, left per the M.V. Armidale, for a holiday in Europe.

Mr. McAdam, District Officer of Ki eta, is in Rabaul, acting as District Officer, New Britain.

Mr. A. Hunter, District Officer, Ma dang, is due for retirement from the Service, and leaves for Australia per Macdhui. Mr. Hunter was a District Officer under the Military regime, and remained in a similar capacity with the advent of civil administration. He has seen almost the whole of this territory in his official capacity of District Offi cer.

Mr. and Mrs. Pat. Savage proceeded South on leave per M.V. Macdhui. Dur ing their holiday Miss Agnes Savage is the guest of the Crown Law Officer, Mr. G. G. Hogan and Mrs. Hogan.

Mr. R. K. Clark, of Messrs. McLen nan & Clark, barristers and solicitors, Rabaul, left for Australia per S.S. Nel lore for a holiday and rest.

Mr. F. O. Greenwood, formerly man ager for Burns, Philp & Co. Ltd., at Rabaul, has resigned from the B.P. service. Mr. Greenwood had many years’ service with that firm, and dur ing his tenure of office in this terri tory he became very popular. We are advised that it is the intention of Mr.

Greenwood to return to the territory in a few months, when he intends join ing the firm of Handley & Laws, which business will then be styled “Green wood & Laws.”

March 23, Baum with 15 native car riers left on a prospecting expedition between Mt. Lawson and the Papuan border.

On April 27 one of Baum’s boys re turned in a pitiably exhausted state to Surprise Creek, with the news of the murders. Gradually, as time went on, in all, eight of the boys drifted into Surprise Creek, badly wounded by knives and spears. It would appear that Baum and seven of his boys were murdered.

Baum, on his way to Mt. Lawson, made camp on the bank of a river some distance from a native village.

The kanakas came in great numbers, with native fruits and vegetables, also a pig. Sufficient supplies were bought and paid for and Baum with his party then proceeded towards Mt. Lawson.

Apparently, not finding any gold, the party returned to Surprise Creek and camped on the same spot as on the outward journey. The kanakas again came with food to sell, and everything appeared to be quite peaceful and friendly.

During the night of April 23 nothing happened to cause any anxiety, and the following morning at dawn the cook-boy entered Baum’s tent to make his coffee. Baum got up, completed his toilet, and gave instructions to pack up and break camp. Four shot guns and a Winchester rifle were placed in a bag to be carried and his Mauser pistol was packed in a trade box. Baum returned to his bed to drink his coffee.

Meantime, some of his natives set about preparing their breakfast. Many kanakas from the adjacent village visited the camp with more offerings of food, and generally no notice was taken of them.

One big native then entered Baum’s tent, and, taking a club from behind his back, hit Baum over the head. This seemed to be the signal for attack, as many kanakas then entered the tent.

Some held Baum and, with his own axe, they battered his head. The camp was then looted and only eight natives, as mentioned previously, escaped to the bush.

Papuan Patrol And Pros

Pectors Attacked..

It is learned that a Papuan patrol officer, with another white person, and a party of carriers and Papuan na tive police, have been attacked almost continuously for nearly three weeks. On more than one occasion three attacks had been made in one day in broad daylight. This party decided not to return, but to remain in this Territory and proceeded to the Wau in the Mo robe district.

It is also learned by a very brief radio message that the Leahy Brothers have been attacked by hostile natives in the Upper Watut area, in the Surprise Creek district, but that both were safe.

On May 1 District Officer Feldt ar rived at Surprise Creek with a police party, having come some of the dis tance by ’plane.

“Highly Dangerous

Country.”

A brief radio has been received from the district officer, Morobe district, who has been out of touch with civilisation for about three weeks, stating that he is returning with six prisoners, and that the area between the Papuan border and the main dividing range is highly dangerous.

This area has been now declared closed until further notice, and although it is unlikely whites can be actually prevented from entering the area, every obstacle will be put in their wav, and they will go at their own risk.

There are two sec tions of Hindus in Fiji the Arya Sa maj, noted for its advanced thought, and the older Sana tan Dharm. The two

gentlemen pictured

above are the prea chers for the Sana tan Dharm. On the left is Pundit Ram Chander Sharma, Kirtan Visharad, who arrived in Suva in July, 1930, and im mediately rallied the strength of his sect.

On the right is Pun dit Murarilal Jee Kausikiyachaya Sha stri, preacher, who arrived in Fiji last January to carry on the work of the sec tion.