This Magic Didn’t Work

FOUR natives, admitting “intent to steal” received gaol sentences from the Rabaul District Magis trate, Mr. J. R. Rigby, in August; one, charged with being unlawfully in the dwelling house of Towai.

The natives told the Court that they had ridden into Rabaul from Reimber (leaving their bicychs in the bush at Tunnel Hill so as to make a quick get-away) to try out recently inherited charms which permitted them to steal without be ing caught.

The night was wet so they sheltered for a time in the Council House, then one of them, Tom unulai, wearing his charm—two pieces of braid with a piece of mother-of-pearl shell in the middle —went across to Towai’s house but was caught before he could get hold of anything.

The others remained in the Council House, holding another part of the charm—a piece of bark with betel nut, which is held be tween the fingers whilst commit ting the theft.

As none of them had got within stealing distance of anything, they have yet to learn whether the charm works, but as it is now part of the Police collection, this is un

likely-

M.E.