What was the Goaribari incident?

Trevor
28/10/2016

The Goaribari incident happened in 1901 when Rev James Chalmers and Rev Oliver F Tomkins were massacred at Goaribari Island (now in the Gulf Province, PNG) in 1901.

 

Later the "raw" Christopher Robinson was attacked in the same area in 1904.  It has been reported that "natives" fired arrows at the Merrie England (ship) and people on the ship fired back with guns.  No one on the ship was reported to have been injurd but an undefined number of “natives” were killed in tne incident.  It appears that the response with gunfire was ill-considered and due to panic.

 

Robinson’s reputation was under a very dark cloud as a Royal Commission of Enquiry was instigated, of which Judge Murray (presumably Sir Hubert Murray) was in charge. Shortly before the enquiry commenced, Christopher Robinson put a gun to his head and killed himself, leaving behind a note which was not released (according to the papers). It is through the reports of the enquiry that we learn that at least eight men were killed, three possibly by Robinson.

 

Who was Christopher Robinson?

Can you name the Administrators of PNG?

When were Reverend James Chalmers and Reverend Oliver Tomkins killed at Goaribari Island?

Who was the first missionary from the London Missionary Service (LMS)in PNG?

Tags: Goaribari Incident, Goaribari Island
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