RETRIBUTION AT LINE ISLANDS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 713, 2 October 1876, Page 3

RETRIBUTION AT LINE ISLANDS.

{New Zealand Herald) Amongst our items of news from the South Seas, per Bphemcy, we hear of severe retribution on the Line Islanders, at Apang, one of the Gilbert Group, one of whom committed a cold blooded murder some months ago, and which we have already recorded. The savage entered the store of a white settler, and asked for some hair oil. On being told that there was none in stock, he answered that the storekeeper (Mr Keys) should have reserved some for him. After a few more words he presented a revolver and deliberately shot Mr Keys, the wound proving fatal. The ruffian then decamped, and fearing vengeance, escaped to another island. The cold blooded and wanton murder being noised abroad, H.M.S. Renard was sent to search for the murderer ; but until lately he has eluded all vigilance. In In June last the Renard was at Apang, and hearing that the man was on the island, a message was sent to the missionary (Mr Taylor) demanding his surrender. Through the influence of the missionary the man was given up, There being no doubt as to his identity, he was ordered to be executed summarily. The mode of capital punishment was very simple. He was blown from a gun, and so complete was his destruction by this means that nothing remained of him bub his legs. Although retribution has been somewhat tardy on account of the difficulties experienced in capturing the man, the natives are thus warned that life must not be sacrificed with impunity. There is still danger to both the missionary and trader in this group. The schooner Levuka was lately chased by fifty large canoes full of natives, but through a favoring breeze was enabled to escape. At one of the islands a pencilled message written on the leaf of a book, was sent off to Captain Nicholson, apprising him of the massacre of the boat’s crew of the Dancing Wave, and advising him to be cautious. In the case of the murder of Mr Keys, the decisive action of the captain of H.M. Renard will perhaps teach these untutored savages a wholesome lesson.