Crime Among N.G.

Natives.

Uneasiness In Rabaul.

REPORTS are being frequently received to the effect that natives in and about Rabaul are becoming dangerously disaffected —that they are “too sophisti cated,” and criminally inclined, and are displaying an increasing cheekiness in their attitude towards Europeans.

The following report, dated November 13, is to hand from our Rabaul Corre spondent: In the Supreme Court, on November 4, there appeared four natives, charged with being on premises for the purpose of in decently insulting European females; and also two charged with homo-sexual of fences, and two with rape. All were con victed and sentenced to periods ranging from a year to 2i years’ imprisonment, with whippings. . A local native, employed as a mail sorter in the Rabaul post office, appeared before the Supreme Court recently charged with stealing a letter. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

A similar sentence was imposed on an other native, charged with receiving the letter and who, it was shown, incited the post-office employee to steal.

We understand that other charges are pending. It is believed that numerous letters have been tampered with and stolen —especially letters containing money and postal notes.

Our natives are by no means backward in picking up the unpleasant characteris tics of our civilization.