IN THE SOLOMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1932, Page 6

IN THE SOLOMONS

CROCODILE'S' TERRIFY NATIVES

SHIP’S OFFICERS’ EXPERIENCES:

SYDNEY, November 3

Exciting experiences with crocodiles, which abound in the Solomon Island*, are related by the officers cf the I.land motor-ship, Kurimarau, which h'as been in Sydney ; for overhaul. The chief c fir cor (Mr R. 0. Davis) said that just before ti.ie ship left Gavatu, hei head-quarters-, la crocodile 15 feet long wais killed on the wharf, and was identified as one. of the most dangerous species in the - islands. Crocodiles migrated from island to island, and he had seen them as long as 20 feet. On one occasion Mr Davis was loading baskefis on a beach when darkness overtook him. He left the baskets, and when he returned in the morning lie’ disturbed a huge crocodile, whichhad been foraging among tin m. Recently, on the Rendova E late, lie heard screams coming from, the beach, where he had left the natives loading copra. He reached 1 the bench in time to se e a. crocodile disappearing with one of the “hoys” in l its jaws. When out shooting pigeors on one occasion, Captain Reardon, master of the vessel, trod on one of the moni-ters which was concealed in the dense undergrowth d’ose to the water. He took to his heels and the crocodile gave, chaise, threshing round with its tail in the hope Of throwing the captain off "his feet. - Managing to eludte the monster, h® turned round and fired, putting it to flight. The natives, ■according to the officers of tli'a- ship, are terrified of crocodiles, and often can he kept ,rrt work only if they are at liberty to yell at the top of their voices all thi?: time. In this way they hone to frighten away the crocodiles. The manager of one cf the estates, who has been at the Three Sist r Island for more tbhn 20 years, declares that some of the older nat’ves can sneak, to the crocodiles in such a way that they cro charmed, just rs the Hindus can charm sn)ake.s. But most of the natives trust to their speed and escape.

Captain Reardon was one of the leaders of the expedition which captured the murderers of District Commirisiorer Bell and Cadet Lillies !?n'd a party of native police on the island of Malaita, In the Solomons, in 1927. Officers of the Ivurimarau describe how Captain Reardon, single-bended, captured ore of the ringleaders in the heart of bo-tile country. The captain was chosen as n member of the exnerlition because of hits knowledge of the country a’’d cf the six or seven native dialects. The further the pa.rtv went into the jungle the more hostile was its reception. Captain Reardon w°s at first unable to break the silence-of- tbe natives, who were anxious to ish’dd 1 their fellows, but finalVhe secured information- on which he acted. end scon secured one of the murderer 3 .■ The second officer of the Kurimaranrecalled an adventure he had while recruiting labour at one of the smaller islands. He ww? warned by friendly natives flint - lie was likely to be mum deredi, and was requested to leave. He found later that a native end who had been convened to Christianity had inarmed heather. F"T relative 3 considered this a deadly sin, and' ordered her brother to slay tlm couple. The natives blamed the white- mrsbior.ary, and had sworn to h n ve their verge nee on a white man. The officer bed no rV-ire to be the victim, so he left the island.