PUNITIVE EXPEDITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 13, 9 December 1916, Page 5

PUNITIVE EXPEDITION.

ISLAND NATIVES CO UNPUNISHED.

THE BRIDGES MURDER.

Press Association—Copyright. (Received 77.35 a.m.) Sydney, December 0

When tlie punitive expedition, consisting of English and French sailors and native police, landed at Malekula to punish the murderers of the Bridges family, the natives fled, after burning the village. The expedition then retired, but were attacked from both sides of the track, te Natives firing at point blank range from the thick jungle. A running fight ensued, to within half a mile of the main camp, and when it was reached their ammunition was exhausted. Seven native police were killed, and a British sailor, and a policeman wounded.

A cable from Sydney on August 25 states: The steamer Makambo brought news of a horrible massacre at New Hebrides. A. trader named R. JBridges and his five children were murdered by bush tribes, and their store was looted. There are indications that one child was eaten. Details show that the family, of whom the eldest child was 12 years old, was at supper when attacked. The bodies of Bridges and four of the children were battered almost beyond recognition, and a fifth child was carried into the bush. The indications are that the natives first killed Bridges, wose native wife and another child were absent at the time of the tragedy, which is stated to be the result of a long period of weak administration in Native matters.