Unlawful Killing

N.G. Miner Gets Two Years' Gaol

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Feb. 4.

GEORGE CHESTER, a prospector who has been working on the Lower Dunantina River, in the Purari district —one of the most isolated areas in the Morobe goldfields—came before Chief Judge Wan liss on January 17, charged with unlaw fully killing a native. Accused pleaded not guilty.

The evidence was that of an incident which might happen at almost any mining camp in the Territory. The assault took place at the end of the day. Koluve, the deceased native, was controlling the water that was running into the box, when the daily wash-up was taking place; he al lowed too much water to flow, with the result that gold and concentrates were washed into the tail-race, and much was lost. The accused, incensed at the boy’s action, according to the evidence, lost his temper, and assaulted the boy, who sub sequently died that same afternoon. Medi cal evidence showed that the cause of death was a ruptured spleen.

His Honour said that brutality was not the way to enforce discipline; and this kind of thing not only led to loss of life, but also to unfortunate difficulties with fellow miners. “I know,” continued His Honour, ‘‘the conditions under which you have to work there, alone; wretched food, no so ciety of any kind; troubles with labour very often, I suppose, sickness and ma laria. These things get on the mind and affect a man’s disposition, and make him do things he could not think of doing under other circumstances, and I am go ing to take all these facts into considera tion in your case.”

The accused was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labour.