Patrols Increased

On Morobe Goldfields

Peaceful Penetration

Methods

From Our Own Correspondent RABAUL, August 1.

THE six Kukukuku prisoners who were brought out to the coast by D.O. Feldt, after he had been far inland investigating the murder of Hellmuth Baum, have escaped. They were mowing the aerodrome lawn, at Salamoa, and the native guard fell asleep. When he awoke the Kukukus had “gone bush.”

It was really a happy solution of a difficult problem. They were Kuku kukus, of the tribe which killed Baum, but there was nothing to show that they had any share in the crime itself.

But they were taught enough to ensure that they will now go back to their primitive community and let the latter know that white prospectors may not be attacked with impunity.

In view of the recent unrest in the Morobe district, the Administration, to enable the District Officer to cope with the situation, has increased his field staff, which now consists of two Assist ant District Officers and four Patrol Officers.

The Native Constabulary has been also reinforced to the strength of a full division, which is made up as follows: 1 Serg.-Major, 1st class 1 Serg.-Major, 2nd class, 4 Sections, each of which consists of 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 2 Lance-Corporals and 20 Constables.

In the settled communities of the Morobe district, one Warrant Officer of European Constabulary is stationed at Salamoa, at Wau and at Edie Creek.

The dangerous area, which has been closed to the public, will be constantly and intensively patrolled by armed par ties of native police, in charge of experienced Patrol Officers, who will endeavour, by methods of peaceful penetration, to make friends with the natives and explain that fighting must cease, except in cases of protection of life and property.

By means of these Government pat rols the cannibals become used to the presence of the white people and their methods, and so, as time passes (in the opinion of the officers of the Adminis tration) it will be safe to allow free access to the closed areas.

This may take one, or perhaps two, years, and is rather costly to the Ad ministration; but is considered the best and only method of bringing civilised influences to bear on what are now nothing more or less than savage can nibals.