FEROCIOUS ATTACK ON A SCHOONER BY SOLOMON ISLANDERS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2313, 16 August 1880, Page 2

FEROCIOUS ATTACK ON A SCHOONER BY SOLOMON ISLANDERS.

SECOND EDITION

THREE KILLED AND OTHERS FATALLY WOUNDED. [Br Tklegkai'ii.] Auckland, August 10. The Southern Cross, s.s., from Fiji brings news of a native attack on the schooner Levuka on July 15 - The schooner had on board a native of Apia, New Hebrides, who was to be landed at Solomon’s Island together with seventy laborers whose time had expired. The ship’s boats went ashore in charge of Nichols, the Government Agent, Stewart, Fraser, and the schooner’s crew. The Solomon Islandeis seemed friendly, but warned Nichols not to go to the village or up the coast as there had been a skirmish with some Frenchmen before. He was, however, told tliat he might go nearer the place, and thinking it desirable to make enquiries, on arriving at the spot indicated, the boat was drawn up on the beach, none of its occupants quitting it. Suddenly about 100 guns loaded with ball were fired at the boat, killing Stewart, Fraser, and the mate (shot through the heart), four bullets having passed through him. Mr Nicholls was hit by live bullets, one passing through his shoulder, and two through each leg. One of the crew of the boat (a Solomon Islander) had one of his thigh bones shattered by a bullet, and he is now lying in the hospital at Levuka in a helpless condition the Fijian (Johnny) received two bullets through one leg. The other two Solomon Islanders who were in the boat jumped overboard and swam towards the vessel, anti the Apian natives then rushed towards the boat evidently with a view to capture its occupants. The only firearm in the bout was a Snider. The place is well known to recruits as

me of the most accessible for obtaining ■vood and water, and the great majority >£ the natives speaking English or Fijian, no danger was apprehended. On die Apian natives approaching the boat die Fijian boy (Johnny), half wounded though he was, jumped out, seized the i'i!lt, and fired without aiming. This hopped the rush, and the Fiji boy, though single handed, shoved the boat from the shore amidst a shower of bullets, and sculled her towards the vessel. Captain Jones at once bore up for the nearest harbor for assistance and advice from the white residents there.