Fly River.

Keeping An Eye On The

Headhunters.

Administrator’s Visit to Fly River.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, March 2.

His Excellency Sir Hubert

MURRAY, accompanied by the Offi cial Secretary (the Hon. H. L. Mur ray), and the Government Secretary (the Hon. H. W. Champion) left Pt. Moresby on the “Laurabada” on February 14 for Daru and the Fly River, with the inten tion of visiting the districts near Everill Junction on the Fly.

A recent movement of the Upper Fly River natives down as far as this Junc tion, with apparently peaceful motives, is unusual enough to justify a little sus picion on the part of the Government.

Sir Hubert Murray is personally making sure of their good intentions.

A leopard does not change his spots, and head hunters are head hunters. The Upper Fly River is outside Government control, though it has been visited by many patrols in the last few years. The natives know the Government, and are well aware of its disapproval of raiding.

Head hunting and raiding are not crimes to these wild tribes, but a neces sary part of their social system and a passionate need, and their disregard of Government warnings, and their sporadic raids are easily understood.

The Government, in this instance, will make sure that this immigration, does not lead to the massacre of the more peaceful natives who, if the intentions of these strangers are doubtful, may be deceived by their treacherous ways.

Sir Hubert Murray returned unexpect edly to Port Moresby on February 18, before reaching the Fly. While he was at Daru, a Mr. Nibel, living by Maba duan Hill, was brought in dangerously ill, so the “Laurabada” made a hurried return to Port Moresby with him.

After the arrival of the “Montoro” from Australia, Sir Hubert Murray will return to his inspection of the Fly River.