SIX NATIVES SHOT. Russell, February 15

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 February 1887, Page 1

SIX NATIVES SHOT. Russell, February 15

The Tongan Government schooner Sandfly ia still detained here, as it ia blowing an easterly gale. Her mails will be sent by the Northern Steamship Company's Clanfuiau if the Sandfly is unable to leave. The captain of the schooner states that there is still great excitement among the natives at Nukualofa Six men, charged with being concerned in the shooting at the Premier, have been condemned to death, Kiag George, hearing that a petition wag being got up to stay execution, ordered the natives to be taken to an island at tho mouth of the harbour and be ehot at once, saying he would have no interference by white men. The Sandfly, when leaving, passed the schooner with the condemned prisoners on >x>ard, and the captain has no doubt the sentence has been carried out. Several other natives were being tried when the Sandfly left. Mr and Mrs Baker, with their son and daughter, will leave for Fiji and come to Auckland by the s.s. Arawata, if the invalids are sufficiently recovered.

I have learned wibh regard to the Tonga affair that the natives tried and condemned to death by the Native Court belonged to the rebel chief Tobne, and Tavaka, bis son, is one of those to be executed, he being the principal mover in the conspiracy. Ho was some time in Auckland as servant to the Rev. S. Baker. If Mr Baker had been killed hia supporters intended to retaliate by murdoring Key. Mr Moulton, the Wesleyan missionary. The condemned men were ordered to be takeu to the Island of Mallenouh or Snake Island, and to be phot at once. The soldiers had orders to return in the dark so that no one ehould know who had committed the deed. When the Sandfly left great excitement prevailed uinongsfc the natives, and further bloodshed was expected to ensue. •