MURDERS AT THE ISLANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 153, 27 June 1908, Page 9

MURDERS AT THE ISLANDS.

TRADER ATTACKED BY NATIVES. STATION BURNED TO THE GROUND. TRADING VESSEL CAPTURED. The steamer Upolo, which arrived at Sydney on Friday last, brought ne\v3 of a horrible murder at the Solomon Group. The victim was a British trader named Oliver Burns, who was attacked on his station at Marova Lagoon,., one night, and tomahawked. His station was captured by the natives, looted, and afterwards fired, while his small trading vessel, which was lying close by, was seized and destroyed. Marova Lagoon is a well-known spot in the Solomon Group, and is the headquarters of several traders, who do a big business in copra, the staple produce. Many years ago it was inhabited by bands of head-hunters, who made periodical attacks on unsuspecting tribes, and literally wiped them out, returning to their village triumphantly with the heads of their victims. Of late years, however, the head-hunting expeditions have been stopped, thanks to the vigilance of the patrol under Mr. C. M. Woodford, the British Commissioner, and the occasional visit of a cruiser from the Australian station. The particulars brought by the Upolo show that the natives have recently been on the warpath again. "In fact," said Captain Menmuir, "we found a feeling of unrest among many of the coast tribes. It was early in May that they attacked Mr. Burns's station. He appears to have been taken by surprise, and cut down in a most cold-blooded manner. His native servants escaped to the bush, and the marauders then looted the station, taking away everything of value. They also stripped the vessel lying close by the station of all gear, and put a fire stick to what was left." When a trader from a neighbouring station visited the scene he found the place a mass of ruins." The unfortunate trader was a quiet, inoffensive man, and as far as could be gathered had given the natives no provocation. "The natives," said Captain Menmuir, "have threatened to wipe out the whole of the white people on the island, and, as far as I could gather, the cause for this sudden outbreak against the whites is that some time ago one of the natives was taken prisoner. The native prisoner did not return, having either committed suicide or died, and his tribe were seeking to avenge his loss." Captain Menmuir added that the British Commissioner was powerless to do anything in the absence of a warship. "What is reall} wanted at present," he said, "is a British cruiser to patrol the islands aud protect the white residents." NATIVE COOK KILLS A TRADER. Just before the Upolu cleared from the islands for Sydney news was brought in that another trader—Mr P. Brownhad been murdered by the natives in the Western Solomons. The victim Brown was trading on behalf of Mr W. Pope, at Cape Marsh, and he appears to have had a quarrel with his native cook and a native woman. The, outcome was that the cook made an attack on the trader and killed him. The matter was reported to the Resident Commissioner and a punitive expedition was sent out. When it reached the scene they found that the trading station had been ransacked and the trading boat destroyed. The cook was arrested, also the native woman, who appears to hay« had a hand in the crime, and both were put upon their trial. The cook was found guilty, and condemned to be hanged, the sentence being duly carried out. The native woman was deported to Fiji, and received a life sentence. STATION THREATENED. Trouble was reported at other islands in the group, and Mr Larkin, another trader located at Wanoni Bay, had a narrow escape. The natives had gone across from llgi one afternoon to atiacll Mr Larkin and seize hi-j station, but it so happened that Messrs Lever Bros.' schooner Malekula arrived the same day, in charge of Captain Fothenngham, and spoilt their plans. Mr Larkin afterwards left for Sydney, not -caring to take any further risk among the hostile tribes. SEVERAL BOATS STOLEN. The natives were giving further trouble on the plantations, and several stations reported that the "boys" had cleared out, taking with them boats belonging to the stations. The Governmen schooner was met by the Upolu making for Gavuta with three boats in tow. These boats, which had been stolen by the natives, were found at Malaita, and .four other boats belonging to different stations were reported on the beach at the same island. The natives had recruited for work on the plantations, but left without fulfilling their contracts, escaping in boats. TWO TRADERS DEAD. "•<" While the steamer Upolu was in the Solomon Group two traders died. One was a Mr Collins, residing at Vella La Vella, and tiie otner Mr Farquatr, located in the Manning Straits.