Two N.G. Recruiters In

Court

From Our Own Correspondent

Rabaul, Mar. 30.

ON March 13. Eustace Helton and Reginald Stephens appeared before Chief Judge Phillips in the Supreme Court charged with depriving two natives of their liberty. A verdict of not guilty was returned on March 30, and the two men were discharged.

The incident was said to have occurred during a recruiting trip last January in the vicinity of Maprik, Sepik District, when a Tutltul (native government official) and one of the recruiters’ ser vants were alleged to have detained against their will two natives, who sub sequently escaped during an attack by hostile natives. During the hearing, one of the two natives concerned admitted that he had been willing to proceed with the party and that he had made no ob jections to a piece of native rope being fastened around his wrist, tying him to a native guide.