SOLOMON ISLANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1927, Page 2

SOLOMON ISLANDS

SOLOAIOXS EXPEDITION

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

SYDNEY, Nov. 14. The supply ship Biloelo has returned from the Solomons.

Members of the crew stale Unit their general impression of Afalaita is that the expedition has the situation will in hand, and the Adelaide will return to Sydney at an early date.

PROGRESS OF PUNITIVE EXPEDITION.

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 15. The Sydney “Alorning Herald’s” correspondent with the Solomon Islands punitive expedition, writing irom Afalaita on October 31st says:— Ihe expeditions advanced base is still on tbe headwaters of Oulimburi River, 3,500 feet above tbe sea level. All the country is unexplored. They are the first white men to visit it. A camp has been established in the village of Chief Bassiana, who is stated to have struck tbe blow which killed Bell. Not far from tbe camp they found traces where natives bad been lurking, they discovered tbe skulls of a lew of tlieii enemies. Native police were fired upon with sniders and poisoned arrows, and replied with a volley which killed a hush native. It is reported Bassiana has several hundred followers and intends to fall hack upon a fortified village. It is hoped this is true, as tbe expedition will be able to strike a decisive blow, otherwise it will take months to hunt tbe natives in the difficult, mountainous country. Tbe expedition passed a deserted village in which only a leprous old man was left behind. On returning to camp, they gave a machine-gun demonstration to impress the friendly natives and succeeded in making a deep impression. Altison, a missionary from Solomons, who has arrived at Sydney, says the disaffection is confined to Sinerango tribe of bushmen, who have always been noted for their truculence. When tbe massacre became known, thirty-five hundred natives from all parts of the island poured down to the Government station to offer resistance and pledge their, loyalty. ATason declared tbe massacre bad been a premeditated affair, of which Bell had been warned, but tbe latter never let anything interfere with bis duty. Mason considered tbe expedition against tbe murderers more than adequate.

Another passenger from Solomons expressed the opinion that it would take a long time before the murderers are captured, as they are natural fighting men and would infinitely prefer death in battle to hanging.