Native Servant Kills

Five With Tomahawk Horrible Crime in New Caledonia

Noumea, Aug. 25.

A SHOCKING tragedy occurred at La Poa a few days ago on a small coffee plantation, when a 24-years-old New Hebrides native servant killed M. Arman, a retired gendarme, and his three young grandchildren with an axe, as they were sitting at the dinner-table. A 10-months old baby was the only one to escape harm.

Madame Arman and her eldest daugh ter, Madame Ange. were seriously injured by tomahawk blows, before the boy fled into the hills. The two women were taken to Noumea by a car. which skidded off the road into a ditch on the way and had to be hauled out by a passing vehicle. Madame Ange did not survive the journey: but her mother, whose slashed arm was amputated, is expected to live.

Slipping through the circle of search ing gendarmes, the murderer made for Tomo, 35 miles from La Poa. He was tackled and overpowered by four natives, one of whom had his finger bitten com pletely off. They will share the reward of 1,200 francs.

Dr. H. Hercus has been appointed Medi cal Officer at Ocean Is., G. &' E. Colony.