FIGHTING IN NIGERIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 146, 21 June 1901, Page 8

FIGHTING IN NIGERIA.

A BRITISH EXPEDITION

The region In tl*e north-east portion of the Benin City territories lias never been brought under the control of the Government, and in November, .1890, a small patrol under Major Heneker was attacked. Although the natives concerned were punislieii, and luul their town burned, no actual control was established in that part which is called the Ishan territory. It 'is a large tract of country, thickly populated I. Owing tdthe Ashaiitee war, and other ei:pedltions in Southern Nigeria, no force fciad been available, but on March .1 a force about 230 strong, under Major Henefeer, C onnaught. dangers, left Old Calabar for Be nin City, from which place it is a. 70 miles' inarch to ttie border of the Ishau country.. It had with it a seven-pounder gun, MaXim, and rocket apparatus. The first opposition was encountered at Akisibaw, about fts.miles from Benin City. The exposition to, reed Its way into the chief town of the count ry, and established a camp. Some severe tighting took place, the natives from all ptttts coliecting and attacking the force, fully believing that they would be able to -\ dpe out the white man and his soldiers. Advices from Uromi ou March 25 were to th o effect that it would take quite two months, to get the country fidbdued. The casualties up to that date had been severe, numbering altogether 32, but only one white ofii|C(?r iwR been hurt. This was Lieut. Caistahs, but be was only'slightly wounded.

Renter's' Agency understands that at the end of the rainy season a military expedition will be despatched to the Cross River district of Southern Nigeria t» subjugate the tribes living there, and to open up the country. The operations will be carried out by two columns, one starting- from headquarters ttt Old Calabar anij the other from a point 9onu! 100 miles west of I<okoja. The expedition will bo under the command of Lieut-Colonel Montanaro, R.A., Commandant in' Southern Nigeria. Thie chief tribes of the hostile native combination -which will have to be fought are the Aros, a very warlike race, who are known to h.'ive in their possession a large.iiumbcr cf gums and arms of precision. Like the Ashanto es, they are addicted to fetish worship. Tlj.ey have always held aloof from the British, and have repeatedly threatened to kill any white men entering their country- : They were equally turbulent in the old days of the Niger Company, when, owing to the Constabulary not being sufficiently strongto deal with thenij tbe Company, though trading with, the Aros, were unable l» enter the Aro country. The people are great hunters, and, in the method of fighting, aire known to use deep concealed pits, covered with sharpened stakes, and similar ambnseades.

' On Monday Messrs. G. I*fewis &' Co. gell at Strathmore Honsje, Upper Queen-street, household fqjstfsftinfs, piano (by; Allison), etc. ;,„,_„;_,_ ,_ ■,_. .