MURDERERS CAPTURED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 208, 22 November 1927, Page 11

MURDERERS CAPTURED

Skirmish in Solomons FORTY-FIVE MEN GAOLED By Cable.—Press Association .— Copyright . Received 12.59 p.m. SUVA, To-day. •THE Resident Commissioner at Tulagi reported by wireless » yesterday that the ringleader, Basiana, and 44 followers, suspected of the recent massacre of white men in the Solomon Islands, had been captured and lodged in the Tulagi gaol.

The High Commissioner for the Western, Pacific, Sir Eyre Hutson, received an earlier wireless from the Solomon Islands saying that operations have been restricted to patrolling the native villages. The natives concerned in the recent outrage are scattered in small bands, and are hiding in the bush. The patrol met opposition in the village of Basiana, the alleged murderer of District Officer Bell. In the skirmish that occurred a native was shot and another was wounded but escaped. One night a native party was seen by a sentry creeping toward the village of Goitarigu, in which the Gov-

ernment patrol was encamped. No notice was taken o£ his challenge, so he fired, and a native was killed, and the others fled, leaving a Snider rifle and native weapons. There were no Government casualties. A reward of £5 had been offered for the apprehension of the natives concerned in the Sinarango outrage. It is believed that this will lead to their early apprehension, for the natives are being fed and harboured by others in the vicinity. The support of the naval forces was not necessary, and the cruiser Adelaide sailed for Sydney, via Newcastle, on November 18.—A. and N.Z.