GALLANT FIGHT FOR WHITE MEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 186, 27 October 1927, Page 11

GALLANT FIGHT FOR WHITE MEN

FAITHFUL NATIVE POLICEMEN SAVAGE MALAITA MASSACRE DESCRIBED FURTHER reports of the massacre at Malaita, in the Solomon Islands, reveal that District Officer Bell was killed by a blow on the head from the barrel of an old Snider rifle. The natives accompanying the tax-collecting party made a heroic attempt to save Cadet Lillies, but a strong force of hillmen attacked the party with axes, knives and bows and arrows, and nearly all were killed. By Cable. —Press Associat ion. — Copyright.

Reed. 11.10 a.m. SUVA, To-day. Particulars of the massacre at Malaita were received yesterday by the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Eyre Hutson. District Officer Bell, accompanied by Cadet Officer Lillies and a body of constables, was collecting native tax in the village of Sinarango, on the coast of Malaita. Natives from the hill tribes of the- interior had assembled in the village. While Bell was examining a taxreceipt, he was struck on the head with the barrel of an old Snider rifle and killed outright. Simultaneously Lillies was attacked by three natives with knives, and was killed. A gallant but unsuccessful attempt was made by the boat’s crew and the constables to protect him, by throwing themselves upon him. The Government party was then

attacked by from 200 to 300 natives armed with axes, knives, and bows and arrows. It is believed that three of the assailants were killed and several wounded and carried to the bush. There is an unconfirmed report that the wounded constables escaped. It is stated that Bell had been warned that he and his party would be killed when at Sinarango. Government forces have arrived and established a base there. They made a seven-hours’ journey to the interior. Heavy rains impeded progress. The district is mountainous .and covered with dense bush. The native tax at Malaita is 5s a head annually for males between the ages of 16 and 60. The native tax houses was built by tlie natives in the village for the use of Government officials. —A. and N.Z.