MALAITA MURDER

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19143, 28 October 1927, Page 9

MALAITA MURDER

. —«— DETAILS OF ATTACK. GALLANT BUT UNSUCCESSFUL FIGHT. (BT CABLE -PRESS ASSOCIATION— COrYHIGHIO .AUSTRALIAN AND ]!.?.. CABLE ASSOCIATIOX.) SUVA. October 27. Particulars of the massacre at Maiaita were received yesterday by the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific (Sir Eyre Hutson). On October 4th, District-Officer Bell, accompanied by Cadet-Officer Lillies and a body of constables, was collecting the native tax in the village of Sinarago, on the coast of Maiaita. Natives of the hill villages in the interior had assembled in the village. AVhilc he was examining a tax receipt, Mr Bell's head was struck with the barrel of an old Snider rifle, and he was killed outright. Simultaneously, Mr Lillies was attacked by three natives with knives and killed. A gallant but unsuccessful attempt was made by the boat's crew and the constables to protect him by throwing themselves upon him. The Government party was then attacked by from 200 to 300 natives, armed with axes, knives, and bow r s and arrows.

It is believed that three assailants were killed, and several wounded were carried to the bush, but this is not confirmed. The wounded constables, who escaped, state that Mr Bell was warned that hu and his party would be killed when at Siuarago. A tax collector with Government forces has arrived at Sinarago, and a base has been established for a seven-hours' journey into the interior. Heavy rains will impede progress, as the district is mountainous and covered with dense bush. The native tax at Malaita is 5s a head annually on males between 16 and CO years of age. The native tax-house was built by the natives in the village for the use of Government officials.

LANDING PARTY TO INVEST

VILLAGE

(Received October 27th, 8.20 p.m.)

SYDNEY, October 27

Advices from Tulagai report that a landing force of 1608. consisting of sailors from the Adelaide, and special white and native. police parties, are moving into the hills for the investment of the Bassiano's village, which is to he attacked on Tuesday. H.M.S. Adelaide has anchored in Sinirango Bay in supoprt. Everything is progressing well.