MURDERS AT THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2237, 26 September 1889, Page 2

MURDERS AT THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Some harrowing particulars of another atrooity m the Solomon group of islands were received yesterday (saya the ''Sydney Morning Herald "of tho 9th instant), by tbe schooier Edith M«y, which arrived here from Ugi and Gall, or Flo Ida. The chief officer of the vessel (Mr Mil'er) Btates that information was brought to the schooner that a massacre had taken plaoa at Captain Edmunds' station, at Rubl ma; From what cm be gathered, it soems that William Dobell was ia charge of Edmunds' station, and he was surprised by men from a neighboring tribe of natives, aud was backed to death by them. The natives killed two blaok boys who were on the station with him, an 1 took a native woman away at the same time. Captain Drevar brings full partion'are of the raaseaore that took plape oa board tha schooner Savo, a trading yea el ia tho Soloraea Groap. Captain Drevar states : — The eohooa6r 8»v, twenty tons reflate, started from HonU, a part In the largo (aland of Guadaloanor, for Malaytu to get labor for Keutag's station. I was here that the crew ware attacked, as has already been repot cd. Charley was shot de*d In the g«llev. Cooper's skull was broken with one of the axes given as trade for the labor. Keating was struck with another axe upon the wrist, and received knife wonnde upon his right shoulder, In the meantime, says Captain Drevar, fearful work was going on In the forepart of the vessel. One of tha native ocew was on bis back, bis akoll oleft open and seven deep gashes m his body ; he was defending himself with his legs and srms, making a most desperate fight for life agalnat great odds. His assailanta tlrlne, shortened tbefr work by throwing him overboard. Four others of the orew re* oelvad bad woundf. One of them, a boy from the Lord flowe group, managed to get two large oopra knives (liko batchers' knives) from the forecastle. With one m eaah hand he plunged them to tbe hilt m the bodies of his savage assailants, who fell mortally wounded, wallowing m their blood. Those In the q»noes, bearing the report of firearms, and finding tbe tide of battle against their side,, cleared off out of range, and thoee left on b- atd at onoo jamped Into the water, seeking shelter under the vsiel's stern, and dinging ro the head gear of her bower. The latter were entirely at the meroy of those on board, who had now revolvers, and they shot eleven of the savage gang as they showed their heads above the water. The poor fellow that was slung overboard with split head and many wounds, managed to orawl on board again, and was alive whon wo hit with hopes of his recovery. Mr Ooopor was about 27 years of ago, an accomplished young man, a native of London and well oonnr oted. The man Charlie regularly reunlltei hia savings to his widowed mother m Ireland.