SOLOMONS TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1927, Page 2

SOLOMONS TROUBLE

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) SUVA, Oct. 20. No information regarding the circumstances of the murders in the Solomon Islands is yet available at headquarters, but information is shortly expected, as the cruiser “Adelaide” is anchored at Sinarang), near the site of the murders, and has landed a party of sailors to form a Base Camp for proposed operations. It. is reported that the recent murders were committed hv the members of two hush tribes. Between two hundred and three hundred natives took part in the outrage.

Since the outrage, over eight hundred natives have collected at Auki, the Government headquarters in Malaita, and others are coming daily to offer their services in effecting the arrest of the perpetrators of the outrage.

The Resident Commissioner has thanked them for their loyalty, and has instructed the majority to return to their homes, and await orders if their services should he needed. Every endeavour is being made to arrest the perpetrators of the murders of the civil forces at the disposal of the Administration. For this purpose, thirty selected Europeans are being enrolled for a special armed constabulary. Native levies, in limited niimber. are also Wing employed to supplement the available force of fift-v native armed constabulary for additional protection. A party of thirty sailors from the warship “Adelaide” will accompany the expedition, which will go into the interior of the island. The parties will operate from the hnse camp that has been established by the naval forces. The Resident Commissioner is in charge of the operations, and he will accompany the expedition into the interior. Sub-Inspector Davis, the officer in charge of the Constabulary, and District Officer Wilson, will also accompany the expedition.