http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20041105/weekend03.htm
A controversial episode occurred in Rabaul in November 1914,with the caning of 3 Germans involved in an assault on a British missionary on New Ireland.The ringleader,a German doctor,considered the missionary a 'British spy'.The corporal punishment involved led to a formal protest from Germany.
From the AWM website:
RABAUL, NEW BRITAIN. PROTECTORATE OF GERMAN NEW GUINEA, 1914-11-30. ONE OF THE PERPETRATORS OF THE ATTACK BY MASKED GERMANS ON THE BRITISH MISSIONARY REVEREND W. A. COX RECEIVES HIS PUNISHMENT OF A PUBLIC CANING IN PROCLAMATION SQUARE. THE ONLY WITNESSES WERE THE GERMAN RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN NAVAL AND MILITARY EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (AN&MEF). NOTE THE PRISONER IS PLACED OVER A HUMPED BACKED TRAVELLING TRUNK "BELLY DOWN, HIS HANDCUFFED HAND LASHED TO ONE PEG AND HIS FEET TO THE OTHER PEG THUS HOLDING HIS BODY, BUTTOCKS UPWARDS SECURELY ACROSS THE BULGE IN THE TOP OF THE TRUNK".
