Patrol Attacked

In New Guinea Hinterland

Native Sergeant’S

Good Work

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, June 1.

RECENTLY a Patrol Officer and his party were attacked by the in habitants of Indipi Village, in the Bombita area. This area is in the hinterland of Wewak, a sub-district of Aitape.

During the attack, two native police and one of the local tribesmen were wounded.

As soon as the news was received by the District Officer at Aitape, he dispatched native police reinforce ments to the patrol officer and made preparations to visit the scene himself.

The patrol officer, being hampered with his wounded, and having only a small party of native police with him, decided to return to his base at Aitape with the wounded. Meanwhile, the native police reinforcements, in charge of an Acting-sergeant, dispatched by the District Officer, had missed the patrol officer’s party, so they decided to remain in the district and camped in a friendly village close to Indipi.

The patrol officer, upon arrival at Aitape, ascertained that the reinforce ments had missed him, and after mak ing his report and discussing the mat ter with the District Officer, returned to the hostile district to pick up his reinforcements and continue his pat rol.

The Acting-sergeant of native police took things into his own hands and did not wait the return of the patrol officer. He ascertained that the at tack was not intended against the patrol officer’s Government party, but that spears were thrown at one of the carriers. It appears that this carrier, who had been picked up at a neighbouring village, had married a woman of Indipi against the wishes of her step-father, hence the attack.

The sergeant and his party arrested all the persons involved and returned them to Aitape for trial by the District Officer. This was accomplished with out violence of any kind. This native sergeant displayed a remarkable am ount of intelligence, patience and tact.

On the return journey to Aitape a fight was stopped between the natives of Yakamul and Ulau, over a question of some stolen food. The combatants were separated and arrested before any real damage had been done. The new prisoners were added to the party and all brought into Aitape for trial.

The prisoners have all been dealt with and the wounded are progressing satis factorily.

Meantime, the patrol officer has again gone on his way. continuing his patrol in unknown and uncontrolled areas.