Massacres On

The Fly River

28 Arrests In Papua

From Our Own Correspondent PT. MORESBY, December 31.

THE Resident Magistrate of the Western Division reported in Nov ember that there had been a raid on the villages of Weriadai and Suwami, 100 miles up the Fly River, by head hunters of the hinterland, and that, on investigation, he had found that 17 men of these villages had been killed.

The offending tribe, a nomadic people near Suki Creek, had made friendly approaches and mixed freely with their intending victims, “holding up bunches of tobacco and intimating their desire to trade.” Bau-baus (native pipes) were exchanged and the Weriadia people were completely deceived.

It appears that the Suki men had brought down their women with them in their canoes to allay any suspicions that might arise, and these women sur reptitiously handed out tomahawks and spears at the opportune moment.

The Sukis attacked without warning and of the 22 villagers only 5 escaped with their lives, although they were wounded by tomahawks and spears.

News has been now received that 28 of the Suki murderers have been caught and brought down to the Gov ernment station at Daru, by Mr. Wood ward and Mr. Jack Hides, Patrol Offi cer and their armed constabulary.

The severed heads of the victims, found in the possession of the raiders, have been identified by the Weredai people and the trial of these head hunters is in progress.

Sir Hubert Murray, the Lieut.-Gov ernor, who was accompanied by Lady Murray and the Hon. H. L. Murray, the official secretary, has just returned from a special trip of investigation to the Fly River.

Mr. Woodward and Mr. Hides are to be congratulated on their quick work.

Considering the character of the coun try and the semi-nomadic tribe they had to deal with, it was not expected that they would have been successful in so short a time.