INQUEST VERDICT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1930, Page 6

INQUEST VERDICT

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 5

The Prime Minister received to-day the verdict of the inquest on the fatalities -in Western Samoa on December 28th. last. The Coroner was the Chief Judge (Mr J. H. Luxlord). The verdict, summarised, is to effect that the Mau procession was in defiance of a warning of the Inspector ol Police that he intended that such persons in it as were wanted by the police were to be arrested, ihe orders for the arrest of the wanted ones did not include anything in the way of offensive measures against the procession. The measures ordered were reasonable and proper. The serious - active resistance to the police when the arrest of Matau took place, which enabled him to escape, and which endangered the lives of the arresting party, justified the operation of the precautionary measures, as they did also the subsequent use of firearms by the police. The police withdrew - as soon as possible. Constable Abraham died as the result of injuries inflicted when he was physically incapable of defending himself.

Sergeant Watorson being an experienced Lewis gunner, urns justified in using the Lewis gun for the moral effect.

The death of High Chief Tamasese and also ol Tuia and Migao, were the result of injuries inflicted by rifle fire, delivered immediately before—and during—the time the Lewis gun was in action, by three members of the police force from the northern balcony of the police station. “The evidene does not show that the rifle fire was necessary. However, in the circumstances as then prevailing, iii is inevitable that some action will be taken which may appear at the time to be justified, hut when inquired into subsequently, will be found to be unueessary. This is the conclusion to which I h ave come in regard to the rifle lire which caused the deaths of High Chief Tamasese, and Tuia and Migao.” The Prime Minister added that he cud not propose to compare the Coroner’s findings with the exaggerated allegations that had been made in certain quarters, but he felt confident every impartial observer must agree that those allegations had been effectively refuted by the Coroner’s verdict. In particular the Coroner’s found that the precautionary measures taken by the police wore reasonable and proper, and that the use of firearms by the police was justified. The police, most of whom the coroner finds had already been wounded and whose lives were still in jeopardy, were undoubtedly in a situation of great difficulty, repelling an attack by vastly superior numbers; and though their actions in respect of this rifle fire, was, in the opinion of the Coroner unnecessary. Few - people will find it possible to censure their judgment ol the necessities of the situation in the pressing emergency then existing.

ANOTHER SAMOAN DIES

APIA, Feb. 4

One of the Samoans, who were wounded on December 28th. died fn the Hospital yesterday. Of the remaining two, the amputation of a leg will be necessary in one case. The other is progressing favourably. PREMIER’S REGRETS. WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. In a statement to-day the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon Sir Joseph Ward) expressed regret at the news of the death of the native recorded in Samoa. MINISTER’S VISIT TO SAMOA. WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. Tb'> Minister of Defence (Hon J. G. Colmoj, by his private s'': ret ary, Mr F. G. Matthews, will leave for Samoa by the Maili Pomare, on Tuesday i.e..t. The object of the Minister’s visit is stated to be to afford direct contact between Cabinet and the Administrator (Colonel S. S. Allen) and to enable the latter to be advised at first hand, at a time when he is unable to leave the territory of tne Government policy in regard to the activities of the Mau.