SERIOUS RIOTING IN SAMOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 4036, 31 December 1929, Page 2

SERIOUS RIOTING IN SAMOA.

CONSTABLE KILLED; OTHERS ' INJURED. Wellington,. December 29. A. constable and two members of . the Man were killed, and two constables and thirty members of the Man were injured, in Apia on 'Saturday morning in the most serious disturbance that has taken place in Western Samoa since New Zealand assumed the mandate of the territory.

The rioting resulted from a parado of the Mau in Tumour of tlie return of Mr. A. G. Smyth, whose deportation order (made in 1927) expired on December 22 last, and the visit of his counsel, Mr. Hall Skelton, of Auckland. Associated with the Mau procession were several men “wanted” on warrant by the police, and in an attempt to arrest some of these men a desperate encounter was started.

Using revolvers, police reinforcements rescued all except Constable William Abraham, who was beaten to death. The disturbance was finally quelled, and no developments are expected by the Administration.

DEATH ROLL TOTALS NINE,

HIGH CHIEF TAMASESE AMONG VICTIMS.

Wellington, Last Night.

A further eonimunication received by the Prime Minister from Ml*. S. -S. Allen to-day is to. the effect that- the casualties on Saturday, as far as are known, were:— Police:.One. killed, six injured (none severely). - Samoans: Eight killed (including those who have died of wounds, and also including the High Chief, Tamasese, who died on Sunday), and twelve wounded, who were in hospital, including the High Chief, Tuimabaliifano, who has a slight alrni wound. The Administrator states that from 1500 to 2000 Man paraded on Saturday and that about 300 took part in the attack on the police. The attack lasted only a few minutes. Afterwards the Mau hurried off to Vaimoso. The Mau had now dispersed, and no further incidents were expected.

In commenting on the above news this morning, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) said that the loss of life as a result of the disturbance was greatly to be deplored, but the information to band showed conclusively that the police acted with great forbearance and that firearms were used only as a last resort.

A full meeting of Cabinet has been called for to-morrow to discuss the latest phase of the trouble in Western Samoa. -

An Auckland message states that the Hon. O. F< Nelson stated to-day that Mr. Hall 'Skelton, his leading counsel, arrived in Samoa on Saturday, with Mr. A. G. -Smyth, in order to collect evidence and to brief witnesses in connection with the libel action at Auckland on February 20.