Papuan Planter

Attacked

R. M. Bunting Injured in Serious Affray

Samarai, May 12.

A SERIOUS and deliberate attack was made recently upon Mr. R. M. Bunt ing, a brother of Mr. A. H. Bunting, an old resident of the territory, by a num ber of natives employed at Ahioma desiccated coconut factory, at Milne Bay, near Samarai.

Mr. Bunting formerly was on Doini Plantation, but, on the resignation of Mr.

W. H. Wright, manager of the factory at Milne Bay, he was appointed to that position. Apparently this appointment did not meet with the approval of some of the native labourers on the estate, and they inaugurated a “go slow” policy.

As a result of this, Mr. Bunting had an argument with a Fergusson Island native named Rumubudi, and finally, it is al leged, he thrashed the native.

On the same evening, when Mr. Bunt ing was leaving work, eleven Fergus son Islanders, including Rumubudi, way laid him and attacked him with sticks, an iron bar, a length of wood with a heavy cog-wheel attached to the end of it, and, in one instance, with an axe.

Mr. Bunting was badly injured and was taken to Samarai Hospital for treatment.

Mr. Bunting’s injuries would have been much more serious had not a native from the Northern Division stood by him and helped him during the attack.

Lately, eleven Fergusson Island natives were arrested and charged with at tempted murder. Mr. Bunting himself has been summoned to answer a charge of assault on Rumubudi, when he leaves Samarai Hospital.

Nine of the natives were sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, and two to seven years.