THE WEEK, THE WORLD, AND WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9085, 9 May 1908, Page 6

THE WEEK, THE WORLD, AND WELLINGTON.

(By Frank Morton.)

THE GUNBOAT HINEMOA

To see ourselves as others se.e us is ] scarcely possible, or we migb,c sotnetimeo find the spectacle picturesque and diverting. Thus, the ""San Francisco Chronicle" has a veay striking story in its issue of February 23rd. Aayoj read it, you w ,(1 agree with me that First Officer 'Otiarles Efagrup has a piclureqsue and diverting imagination. I'he story has tpyical headings "Bomoarcia Town of Cannibalism," "British Gunboat Punishes South Sea Islanders for Eating Missionary," and so forih. And this, without further parky, is the story itself:—

"The barquenkine S. N. Castle, which arrived yesterday from Pago Pago, brought the details of the massacre of Rev, Alexander Mc« j..ougi)lin, who was devoured by cannibals on St. George Island of the Solomon group, November Ist, and whose bunts are now in possession <*tf the Government of New Zealand, having been taktn there from the island by the British gunboat Hinenioa, which was sent on a punitive expedition to avenge his death, and teach tho savages »f the Solomun group a salutary lesson. "According to the story told by Pirst Ouicer a Rixnw a«» corro'Kir-itHfl by nt ier-i <>n t oard the S. N. Castle, Rev. Alexander McLougulin was attached to the Presbyterian Mission to the Solomon Islands, and for several years had conducted his labours among the group of islands which bear the name. St. George Island is one of the islands situated at the southwest of the group, and until a year ago had never, on account of the ferocity and truculence of the cannibal tribes which dwell there, been visited by even the most daring of the members of the mission.

"Much against the wishes and advice of his coadjutors in ithe benign work of spreading the teachingf and benefits of Christianity among the savage islanders, McLoughiin undertook the self-imposed task .of preaching the gospel to the natives of the hitherto neglected island. McLoughiin, who had been stationed -at Pago Pago, left for the scene of his new labours last June, and nothing was heard of him until a few months ago, when newo was brought to the head station that he had been eaten by the cannibals.

"Word was at once dispatched to Auckland, New Zealand, the .headquarters of the missionary enterprise, and Sir Joseph Ward, Premier of New Zealand, acting under advice from the British Government dispatched gunboat Hinemoa-ta make

an investigation. ! ■"The Hinemoa arrived at Astrolabe creek, the only harbour on St. George's Island, on January 3rd, and Commander Deakin had 8010 Onehunga, the chief of the .islands, brought aboard. After a sweating Onehunga admitted the facts .as to the disappearance of M.cLongiilin, and volunteered to bring in the bones of the missionary. Deakin gave the savage to understand that the bones, under any circumstances, must ho restored, and that the members of th e tribe, who participated in the act .of cannibalism must be brought aboard the Hinemoa and a fine of fifty tons of shells paid to atone for the death of the missionary, With a dejected air, Onehunga departed, promising to comply with the commander's wish. "He did not return, however, for several days, and Commander Deakin gave orders for the bombardment of the village, which was some distance up the creek. After a few shells had been dropped into the

huts, which rapidly caught fire. Onehuga sent several natives with a flag of truce, offering, to accede teethe demands. The shells and the bones of the missionary were in the course of a few days* delivered aboard the gunboat, and a solemn agreement entered into by Onehunga to refrain from cannibalism, hereafter. "The Hinemoa left for Auckland on January 9th, with fifty tons of. pearl shell, valued at l.OOOdol. per ton, and the bones of the missionary on board."

The name of the. cannibal chief, Bolb Onehunga, will appeal to you. You will also remember that at the time when the "gunboat" Hinemoa is thus reported to have been on bombarding business in the Solomons, she was in fact rescuing the crew of the "Dundonald" in the Par South. But Sir Joseph Ward, whose . name be praised, is here represented in a light most decorative and refreshing, and on the whole one cannot regret the picturesque and diverting imagination of First Officer Charles Hagrup.