CAPTURE OF THE MEVA MURDERERS.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 68, 27 December 1871, Page 3

CAPTURE OF THE MEVA MURDERERS.

The particulars of the capture are as follows : —On the Bth nit, Dir Murray was on his way to Yaviti, when he observed a cutter with with her sheet close hauled, and behaving in a very strange manner, and he accordingly made for her. When the men saw that they were pursued, they let go the sheet and ran the cutter upon Biva Reef, and then jumped overboard and swam ashore. The first question they' asked on reaching land was, ‘ls this Tanna ?’ and the answer was ‘ No.’ They then asked, ‘ Are you going to club us?’ and were again told ‘No’ They' then promised to share the trade they r had on board the vessel with the Fijian, saying that they' (the Solomon men) had been working on Ovalau for eighteen months, that there time was out, and had given eighty pigs for the vessel to take them home. They also stated afterwards that they had eaten the white men, and got hungry' again and had killed three of their comrades and eaten them. So that now there are only thirty-seven men left. Mr Murray' has stripped the A'essel of her sails and distributed them amongst the natives of the island, in order to prevent the men escaping. We trust that there will not be any time lost in sending a force down at once to secure the wretches.

THE LATE MURDER ON BOARD THE CAMBRIA. At an inquest held on the bodies of the two persons murdered on board the Cambria, the jury returned their verdict of wilful murder against a number of Dlalieolo natives l’csiding in Levuka, and two others who were secured on board the Cambria, and now supposed to bo on the island of Ovalau ; and we also believe that some or all of the Malicolo natives now in custody' are implicated in the murder. The jury were then discharged from their duties, and the Court dispersed.

MORE OUTRAGE,

The Fiji Times of the 22nd instant say's : —A short time back we published an account from Dreketi, stating how some of

the settlers had had to leave their homes. We have since dern'ad different direct and indirect accounts of the state of affairs on that river, and likewise an urgent appeal from the settlers, who were in fear of their lives, for men snd arms. We are happy, however, to have it in our power to state that the war is over, and that the danger is past ; but we cannot close our eyes to the immense loss to which the settlers on the Dreketi have been subjected. The loss of property' in personal effects, in some cases of money, and the utter ruin of their cotton and food crops, places them in very trying circumstances. We think that compensation should be wrung from the Dlacuata chiefs for making such un uncalled-for and mischievous onslaught on the settlers of the Dreketi River : and avc believe, unless that can be done, there will not be any security to the life and property of a settler in any' part of Fiji. The following is from the pen of one of the sufferers, and we give it to show the the hardships which they all had to undergo. “An attack was made upon Dir Bardwell’s house on Friday' the 27th lilt., by a mob of Iletova’s men, some of whom tore up a plantation of young cocoanuts, and stole a number of clothes off the line, whilst others broke into the house. There Avas a little respite until Monday, Avhen the mob of savages returned and attempted to force an entrance ; Mr and Mrs BardAvell kept them at bay, threatening to shoot the first avlio should enter the fence. For three days the husband and Avife held their oavh, keeping watch at night also. On the Wednesday', the natives dreAv olf, having killed all the pigs, goats, poultry, &c. Taking advantage of this Mrs Bardwell Avent through the forest to Cave’s plantation, in the hope of getting assistance, and Avas met by' another mob of savages avlio attempted to capture her. She defended heiself, and dispersed the mob by firing her revolver amongst them. On reaching Cave’s there Avas not any assistance available, so she returned home. On arrival she found the attack had been resumed by' the savages, avlio Avere throAVing stones and firing, in hopes of gaining tho house and plundering the contents. In the afternoon Mr Bartlett arrived to their assistance. The three then charged the natives driving them hack, and whilst doing so Messrs Bartlett and BardAvell Avere Avounded, and a bullet ploughed up the earth at Mrs Bardwell’s feet. About 8 p.m. Messrs Iletherington and Hoavcll arrived, and assisted in removing some of the goods. The furniture and most valuable effects had to be left behind, and fell into the hands of the natives. Amongst the property thus abandoned Avere provisions for tweh'e months, Avhich Mr BardAvell had just, brought down from Sydney Avith him.” The folloAving are losses Avliich have been experienced by some of the settlers on the river, together Avith the dates of attack by the natives : Thursday, October. 22—Captain Hedstrom’s plantation Avas taken possession of, and the Avliole of the live stock, consisting of five goats (the property' of Mr lletherton), seventeen pigs, and sixty foAvlsAverc killed and eaten, the house broken into, and the Avliole of the property' stolen. Monday, October 23.—Mr Bone’s plantation Avas attacked. Ilis life and that of Mrs Bone threatened—the whole of his live stock, consisting of thirteen pigs and 150 foAvls, immediately destroyed. Everything lie possessed, Avith the exception of clothes which he and Mrs Bone Avere then wearing, forcibly removed. He is the largest loser on the river. Thursday, October 24.—DIessrs. Scant an and Campion’s plantation Avas visited by Radevu, Chief of Nai Lulu in Wai Levu, AA'ith about fifty' Fijians, avlio obtained fifteen knives on the pretext that they' Avere desirous of building a house. These Avere stolen ; au attempt Avas made to break into the house, and upon this the plantation labourers Avere armed, and the Fijians immediately decamped. Friday', October 27.—Mr Fisher’s house was assaulted—a very large quantity' of pigs and foAvls destroyed, and his house sacked by a party of Macuata men, under Ratu Bosoka, the son of Tui Macuata, Dir Fisher having to fiy to preserve his life.