SOLOMONS MURDER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 23 November 1927, Page 3

SOLOMONS MURDER

RINGLEADER CAPTURED.

OPERATIONS OF EXPEDITION

Suva, Nov. 22. It is officially stated that the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific has received a wireless message from the Solomon Islands, stating that the operations were restricted to patrolling native villages., The natives concerned in the outrage ai'e scattered in small bands, hiding in the bush.

The patrol met opposition from Basiana. the alleged murderer of Mr Bell. In a skirmish a native was shot and another' wounded, the latter escaping.

One night a native party w a s seen by a sentry creeping towards the village of Goitaiigu, in . which a Government patrol was encamped. The natives took no notice of the challenge an dthe sentry fired, killing one. The others fled, leaving a Snider rifle and native weapons. There were no Government casualties. A reward of £5 has been offered for the apprehension of the natives concerned in the Sinarango outrages. It is believed this will lead to the early apprehension of the natives, who are fed and harboured by natives in the vicinity.

The support of the naval forces has been found unnecessary and the cruiser Adelaide sailed for Sydney, via Newcastle, on November 18. The Resident Commissioner at Tulagai wirelessed yesterday that the ringleader, Basiana. and 44 suspects were captured and lodged in the Tulagai gaol.—(A. and N.Z.)