PUNITIVE EXPEDITION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2951, 11 December 1916, Page 6

PUNITIVE EXPEDITION

INCITING EXPERIENCE AND A': :.y RUNNING, FIGHT. Jjßy, TelcgrapJi--Erc3s' Association-Copyright ~: : . / Sydney,.' December 8. ; ..A punitive-expediticn consisting of EngE&ti and: French sailors and native police landed at Malekula to punish tio murderers of the Bridges family. The natives fled. Afterburning the village . the expedition retired, out were .attackled from, both sides of the track, thofiring at poTntWank range from .the thick jungle. A running fight/ endued to.-within half a.mile of the main 'camp. .When the camp, was reached :jtjhe_ ammunition was exhausted. Seven ■native police^were killed, and a British 'sailor and a policeman were wounded V [A trader named R. J. Bridges and ihiß five children were massaged at ffautu, in the New Hebrides. /Details jofthe massacre received in Sidney in j'Angust last showed that ti/a family, .the eldest child of which was/12 years bf age, were at supper when: attacked. ;The bodies of Bridges and fjbur of the ■children were battered almost beyond ..recognition. The fifth ori'/d was cartied to the bush.' The indications were ithat the natives first killed Bridges' .'native wife. . The other <;Md was absent at the time of the tragedy, which ■is stated to be the result of a long .period of weak administration in native matters.] • ■ ■ ■'