SAMOA
VISITING SAMOA. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 30. 0. F. Nelson states Hall Skelton, his loading counsel, arrived in Samoa on Saturday with A. 0. Smyth to collect evidence and to Brief witnesses in connection with the libel action at Auckland on February 20. THE OFFICIAL VERSION. LEWIS GUN USED BY POLICE WELLINGTON; Dee. 30. News of the affray with the Man, at Apia, was received by the Government last night. The following statement lias been issued by Sir Joseph Ward: Advice was received from the Administrator of Western Samoa (Colonel Allen) that a riot occurred in Apia on Saturday morning, in which Constable William Abraham, and two Man men were killeu, and two police and about thirty of tlie Man were injured, hut the exact number of casualties is not yet definitely known. A large number of the Mau came into l town to welcome Messrs Smyth and Hall-Skelton. The police tried to arrest -some of the men. The arresting party', armed with batons only, was attacked immediately by some two hundred of the Mau, with sticks and stones. A supporting party of police, armed with revolvers, moved up to the rescue and got all the police clear except Constable Abraham, who was struck with an axe and beaten to death. The police used their revolvers and withdrew to the police station winch the Mau then-attacked, but were driven off by a Lewis gun fired over their heads into the sen. The Mau party then left town followed bv an armed patrol to the end of the beach road, since when they have wrecked tne telephone lines east of Apia. The Administrator advises that no special developments are expected, also that the Mau were previously warned not to parade any “wanted” men through the town.
CABINET CALLED 1 . WELLINGTON, December 30. The Prime Minister said that the next to kin of the deceased constable were in Belfast (Ireland), and lie had informed them by cable. “I have called Cabinet together in order to give the matter immediate attention,” added Sir J. Ward, “and I have also asked tne Administrator to keep me informed of any changes, and also whether he required assistance. FURTHER REPORT. FROM COLONEL ALLEN. WELLINGTON, December 30. A further communication has been received by the Prime Minister from Colonel Allen to-day. It is to the eflect that the casualties on Saturday, as iar as known, were as follows: Police: One killed and six injured (none of them severely). Samoans: Eight killed (including those who died of wounds, and also including Chief Tamasese, who (lied on Sunday), and twelve wounded, who were treated in the hospital. ne Administrator states that from 1500 to 2COO members of the Mau paraded on Saturday. About 300 took part in an attack on the police.
The attack lasted only a few minutes.
Afterwards the Man hurried off to Vaimoso.
The Mnu have now dispersed. No further incidents are expected
Commenting on the above news today, the Prime Minister said that the loss of life as the result of the disturbance was greatly to he deplored, hut information to hand showed' conclusively that the police had acted with great forbearance, and that their firearms were used only as a last resort.
A full meeting of the Cabinet has been called for to-morrow to discuss the latest phase of the trouble in Western Samoa. The meeting will take place at 11 a.m., at the Prime Minister’s residence at Heretaunga, wner® he is now convalescing alter his prolonged illness. Those members of the Cabinet who are not already in 'Wellington have been specially summoned and most of them will arrive to-mor-It row.
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Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1929, Page 5
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610SAMOA Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1929, Page 5
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