SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1930, Page 3

SAMOA

EYE-WITNESS’ STORY

TAMASESE EXHORTED PEACE TO

THE LAST.

WELLINGTON, January. 8

Copies of the Sydney “Daily Guardian” which arrived in Wellington today contain an interview with Air Isi Kronfeld, barrister of Apia, describing the fatal riot on December 28, when the high chief Tamasese was among the killed.

Air Kronfeld explains that, with the object of welcoming Air Smythe, who had been deported, a party of 1500 members of the Apia left Vaimoso at G a.m. for the Apia wharf, having forty Man police on their flanks carrying batons.

Another Alan party approached Apia from the esat. About ten constables could he seen in front of the central police station, and Sergeant Fell, who was in charge, had instructions to arrest one Alan member wanted by the police. Noticing this man in the procession the police rushed in to arrest him. In the melee, Sergeant Fell was knocked down senseless and beaten.

Armed reinforcements came in, and suddenly a constable ran to the, head of the procession and grabbed a. native who resisted and fled to the beach. The constable followed, and there was a small scuffle. Two shots were fired the second bringing down the native. Immediately there was a hue and cry. Bullets began to hiss around, and mnnv natives foil.

Stones were thrown at the police station, and many windows were broken. Constable Abraham, a member of the armed reinforcements was knocked down by a blow over the shoulder from an axe or a knife. He evidently eniotied his revolver as lie retreated.

The constable fell, and was pommelled to death, receiving terrible injuries to his head. His revolver is still missing.

Tamasese was in the rear of tlm column. He rushed to the front .and received shots in the hip and arm. Several natives rushed to his help. One youth jumped in front of his chief aiul dropped dead, his body hit with several shots. Two.others received fatal wounds.

Lewis guns then played for a couple of seconds from the .verandah” of.' tie* police station, three bursts being fired over tbe beads of tlie mod in different directions.

Tamasese lost much blood, «nnd died in tlie hospital of exhaustion. AL- Kronfeld adds: “I saw him in the hospital, and to the last he exhorted his adherents to keep the peace.”

MAU AVOIDS TROUBLE.

DISTRICTS VACATED

APIA, Jan. 8.

Following on the public notices, fiftv-eight of the Alan Samoans refused to meet the Administrator to-day, but they sent him a letter holding out certain reasons for tlieir absence.

The Mau has entirely vacated Faieata and Vaimauga districts, as required, by assembling at Leauvaa and Solosolo.

No Alan uniforms have been seen in Apia to-day.

The position is quiet