Sorcery

Papuans' Fear Of

A Murder Report—and Its Sequel

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, Sept. 23.

ON September 13, a Koiari native, one of a party of four returning from a visit to Port Moresby, reported that while passing Sapphire Creek bridge late in the evening the party was attacked by members of the Public Works road gang, and several murdered.

Steps were taken immediately. A de tachment of police searching the district eventually discovered the missing men alive and not far distant from Tupuselei village, near Bootless Inlet.

It appears that a number of Orokolo natives of the Public Works gang, camped near Sapphire Creek bridge, un expectedly saw figures in the dim light.

Greatly fearing the evil spirits of the Koiari, they rushed the forms and dis persed them with blows. The terrified Koiari men made off in different direc tions. imagining the worst. One, find ing himself separated from his friends, reported their murder.

This incident serves to show how in tense is the natives’ belief in and fear of sorcery in the Port Moresby district even to-day. According to the Orokolo natives, so great is their dread of the Vada (evil spirits) that a member of the camp stands on guard throughout the night.

On this occasion he did not recognise the approaching figures as human and in nervous excitement gave the alarm.

Mr. Sid. Wiltshire, well-known pilot of Guinea Airways, Ltd.. Lae, New Guinea, arrived in Sydney recently by the “Mac dhui” on three months' leave.

Mr. S. O. Martin left Sydney by the last “Morinda” for Erromanga, New Hebrides, after a holiday in Sydney.

C- . Flower left Sydney for Vila, Hebrides, by the ‘‘Morinda’’ in mid- E r?2 Sl ‘ tion with Bums Philp (S.S.) Co., Ltd.