Murder Of A Missionary

Horrible Crime in New Hebrides

13 BV. WILLIAM MILNE, a Presbyter ian missionary stationed on the Island of Nguna, New Hebrides, was killed by a demented native near his home on April 27.

The native was the son of the chief of the village, near the mission station, and he had seemed a little demented for some days. Late on April 27, he attacked several natives, and struck down an old man. The natives ran to the mission station, where Mr. and Mrs. Nottage, missionaries from another island, were present on a visit. Messrs. Milne and Not tage hurried to the old man’s assistance.

The madman saw them coming, and rushed at them with an axe. The two missionaries ran in different directions.

The native followed Mr. Milne, caught him as he was getting over a fence, struck him on the head with the axe, and killed him immediately.

The madman then followed Mr. Not tage to the mission station. Mr. Nottage, with Mrs. Milne and Mrs. Nottage, quickly barricaded the doors. The mad native smashed down one of the doors, and then suddenly became quiet, and went away to his own hut.

When the village chief learned of what had happened he called one of his men, gave him a rifle and told him to go to the hut and shoot his son. The man shot the murderer, and handed the rifle back to the chief.

Rev. William Veitch Milne had served as a missionary in the New Hebrides for over 20 years, and was held in high regard. His father was Rev. Peter Milne, one of the pioneer missionaries in the New Hebrides, Mrs. Roy Smith, of Undine Bay, New

Hebrides, arrived in Sydney by the

Maetsuycker on May 17.