NOT HIT BY LEWIS GUN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 890, 6 February 1930, Page 1

NOT HIT BY LEWIS GUN

Rioters Struck by Rifle Fire

SAMOA INQUEST VERDICT

Press Association WELLINGTON. -Wednesday. THE Prime Minister received today the verdict of the inquest on the fatalities in Western Samoa on December 28 last. The coroner was the chief judge, Mr. J. H. Luxford, and the verdict summarised, is to the effect that the Man procession was in defiance of a warning- by the inspector of police, that he intended such persons in it as were wanted by the police, were to be arrested.

The orders for the arrest of the wanted men did not include anything in the way of offensive measures against the procession. The measures ordered were reasonable and proper. The serious active resistance to the police, when the arrest of Matau took place, which enabled him to escape and which endangered the lives of the arresting party, justified the operation of the precautionary measures, as did the subsequent use of firearms by the police. The police withdrew as soon as possible. Constable William Abraham died as the result of injuries inflicted when he was physically incapable of defending himself. Sergeant. Waterron, being an experienced Lewis gunner, was justified in using the Lewis gun for its moral effect.

The deaths of High Chief Tamasese and of Tuia and Migao were the result of injuries inflicted by rifle fire delivered immediately before and during the time the Lewis gun was in action by three members of the police force from the northern balcony of the police station. The evidence does not show the rifle fire was necessary. However, in the circumstances as then prevailing, it is inevitable that some action will be taken which may appear at the time to be justified but when inquired into subsequently, will be found to have been unnecessary. This is the conclusion to which I have come in regard to the rifle fire which caused the deaths of High Chief Tamasese, Tuia and Migao, the coroner concludes.

The Prime Minister added that he did not propose to compare the coroner’s findings with the exaggerated allegations that have been made in certain quarters, but he felt confident that every impartial observer must agree that these allegations have been effectively refuted by the coroner’s verdict.

In particular, the coroner finds that the precautionary measures taken by the police were reasonable and proper and that the use of firearms by the police was justified. The police, most of whom the coroner finds had already been wounded and whose lives were still in jeopardy, were undoubtedly in a situation of great difficulty repelling an attack by vastly superior numbers and though their action in respect of this rifle fire was, in the opinion of ' the coroner, unnecessary, few people w-ill find it possible to censure their judgment of the necessities of the situation in the pressing emergency then existing. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, accompanied by his private secretary, Mr. F. G. Matthews, will leave for Samoa by the Maui Pomare on Tuesday next. The object of the Minister’s visit is stated to be to afford direct contact between the Cabinet and the Administrator, Mr. S. S. Allen, and to enable the latter to be advised at first hand

at a time when he is unable to leave the territory of the Government's policy in regard to the activities o£ the Mau.

WOUNDED SAMOAN DIES

ANOTHER LOSES LEG

TWO LEFT IN HOSPITAL United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright APIA, Tuesday. One of the Samoans who were wounded on December 2S died in hospital yesterday. Of the two who remain in hospital the amputation of a leg will be necessary in one case. The other native ia progressing favourably.

SAMOA POLICE

AUCKLANDERS APPLY FOR POSITIONS

GOOD TYPE OF MEN More than CO men app ied to Mr. W. G. Wohlmann, Superintendent of Police at Auckland, for rositions iff the Samoa Military Police. It is understood that about 200 men are required. Applications opened, yesterday. v Tile class of men who have applied seem to be well up to the physical standard required. The duty of the superintendent of police is to refer the applications to the Defence Department, which is responsible for the medical examination and appointment. of applicants.