"BLACKBIRD" CATCHING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1569, 27 May 1887, Page 2

"BLACKBIRD" CATCHING

H M.S. Opal returned to Sydney recently from the New Hebrides, via Brisbane. When at Bosanq^et, one of the Hebrides group, It «?as reported that a brig named the Allero, belonging to Honolulu, and commanded by Captain Phillips, had ben blaokblrd oatohlng among the hlnnds. The offioers of the Opal instituted Inquiries, and the vessel proceeded m Bearch of tho alleged slaver, which had Bailed for Honolulu. Several of the crew of the brig were found at '" Havarmah harbor. The m«n stated that ' they had been dksoharged from the vessel without any apparent reaion,' and 'that" she had sailed for Honolulu with a foil oargo of "niggers." The cook of the ' brig, a naive of France, wai) 'the . men alleged, marooned. The sailors, also allege that Oaptalu Phillips, of the Allero, had taken the natives by force on board the veesel, and had illtreated them if they refused. One of the men said that he saw 10 natives taken by violent means from Boko Boko— five of these were girls, Another of the men alleges that at Ambryra the natives, m their canoei, f were ordered to go on board the b?lg under a threat of being shot. One; native girl tried to eßcape, but was secured, and the canoes were then Bank* These statements were made by the men to the offioers of the Opal on board that vessel. The matter has been reported to Rear-admiral Fairfax, who will enqulr* loto the oiroomntanoes of the oase. -