FIGHTING IN AFRICA: 200 NATIVES KILLED.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1146, 13 September 1882, Page 4

FIGHTING IN AFRICA: 200 NATIVES KILLED.

A serious affair lias occurred at Martio. The natives of that town having plundered a boat belonging to the people of Bunthe Island, where the British Government offices are stationed, were visited by the Bunthe police. Byambia, the chief of Martio, refused to allow any of his people to be arrested, and fired who had to retire. The circumstance was reported by the Commandant to Governor Havelock at Sierra Leone, who with his suite and 25 of the Sierra Leone police, proinply left for Sherbro in the steamer Prince of Wales, which was accompanied by Her Majesty’s ship Foam. Arrived’at York Island, a detachment of 50 blue jackets, 25 Sierra Leone police, and 15 Bunthe I 5?, 1 . 06 were sent forward in launches of light draught. The force had penetrated close to the town of Martio, when a f usilade was opened upon them from the bush. The fire was returned, and a general encounter ensued. The natives were compelled to retire, with a loss, it is said, of 200 men killed. On the British side no fatalities occurred, though several men were wounded. The latest information from the district in question is that an attempt to retaliate will be made, the Martio people threatening an attack upon the town of Bendo. This place is being fortified in consequence, by the white traders and the natives.