TROUBLE WAS EXPECTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 876, 21 January 1930, Page 1

TROUBLE WAS EXPECTED

Inquest Resumed On Samoa Victims mau invoked to keep peace Policy of Resisting Arrest Revelations made at the resumed inquest on the victims of the street clash between the Mau and the police at Apia on December 28, in which nine lives were lost, prove that the Samoan chiefs did not expect the Mau to march the wanted men in the street procession which led to the shooting. One witness, a Samoan, said that policemen who attMnpted to arrest anyone were usually resisted under instructions from the Mau. “If the police get the wanted men they can have them,” he said.

/• Special to P.A. by Radio Reed. 1® am. APIA, Saturday. The inquest concerning the deaths „£ Constable Abraham. Tamasese, Uota, Migao and others, which occurred through the riot of December 28, was resumed on January 15 before his Honour Chief Justice Luxford. Inspector Braisby, of the police, and Mr. Andrews, solicitor, appeared for the Crown, and Mr. T. B. Slipper represented the relatives of the deceased Samoans. R. S. Kruse, a director employed by Meears. O. F. Nelson, stated that on the morning of December 27, he naked the inspector of police for permission for Messrs. G. W. Smyth and Hsll Skelton to land at Apia Wharf, explaining that It was more convenient. He told the inspector the Mau procession was coming to Apia on December 2S, and he remembered the isspector saying that if the wanted men were In the procession they would be arrested, and if the arrests were effected and the Mau resisted a lot of lighting might result. The police were determined to get the wanted men. The inspector told witness to inform the Mau not to bring the wanted men in the procession. Witness replied that he was not the legal representative of the Mau, but he promised to tell the Mau if he saw its members. Permission was granted by telephone on the afternoon of December -7 for the landing at Apia. Later witness saw High Chief Tamasese to arrange the reception, and passed on the inspector’s message. Tamasese said: “Very well: I will talk it over with the others this evening.” MEN WITH BATONS On the following morning, December 28, witness saw the procession of SOO members of the Mau. He saw the so-called Mau police carrying batons. Su’a-ma-Matai'a, one of the wounded Samoans, who Is in hospital, stated he was in the procession. He saw a policeman attempt to arrest Matau. A general mix-up occurred, and blows were struck on both sides. He saw a policeman fall, but did not know the cause. He did not see who was first struck. The police then fired revolvers and the Mau used stones. The shooting ceased and the police retreated to

the station. He did not, see the constable who was killed. ' Witness returned to the Courthouse corner, and saw Tamasese, umbrella in hand, calling on the Mau to keep the peace. He saw Tamasese hit by one single distinct shot before the burst from the machine-gun occurred. HIT,BY MACHINE-GUN He rushed to assist Tamasese, when he (witness) was hit by what he thought was the first machine-gun burst. He thought Faualo and Tu’ia were also hit by this burst. He did not see anybody killed outright. Faualo, another wounded Samoan, in hospital, stated he was in the procession opposite the market when the first shots were fired. He continued toward the Courthouse, and then saw Tamasese waving an umbrella and calling to the Mau to keep the peace. He saw Tamasese fall and, with others, went to his assistance. When he was lifting Tamasese, his leg was hit by a bullet from a machine-gun burst. He was wounded before Sua and Tu’ia were hit. He said the purpose of the 40 Mau police in the procession was to keep the peace. Chief Tuimalealiifano stated that when the procession passed the Courthouse, the police rushed in an attempt to break through it and to arrest Matau, but were prevented by the Mau police by pushing. They (the heads of the Mau) instructed their police to keep the other police back quietly without force. COMMITTEE WARNED Shots were fired immediately after breaking through. Witness was calling on the procession to keep the peace when he was hit. Stones were thrown in the general mix-up. To Mr. Slipper: Before leaving Vaimoso, he instructed the committee not to bring the wanted men to town. When he joined the procession at the Customs, he was surprised to see the waited men present. To the Coroner: It was correct to say that when the police tried to arrest anyone they were generally resisted by the people of the village under instructions from the Mau committee. If the police went to Vaimoso to arrest anyone, they were tp be resisted forcibly, and if the police got the wanted men they could have them.