PUNITIVE EXPEDITION

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 3636, 19 November 1918, Page 4

PUNITIVE EXPEDITION

A MURDER IN-THE ISLANDS

Suva, October 26

About two months ago a French trader was murdered by the natives of the island of Malekula, in the New Hebrides.

From what can be gathered, it appears that the man went to the island in a whaleboat, his object being to get labour. The- natives came down to see him. The landing was made all right, but the trader, from long habit, no doubt, sent the whaleboat back to the ship while he remained ashore. The natives lost no time and shot him, returning at once to the mountains.

A British punitive expedition was arranged at the request of the French authorities. A warship proceeded to the island early this month. A party was sent ashore, having been joined by several French residents and friendly natives. A couple of machine guns were taken with the party. The village of the natives concerned was six or seven miles inland, well up in the hills.

When the village was reached, there were no signs of any inhabi-' tants. They had probably heard what was coming. Proceeding on its way, the party came on. the natives, who were armed with rifles, evidently expecting a fight. An attempt was made to parley, but it was of no avail. The natives were looking for a fight and had sent their women out of the way. The machine guns were brought into action, and about twelve or thirteen of the natives were killed. The natives renlied with their rifles, but the expeditionary party had no causalties. A message was then sent to them that the visit was in consequence of the murder they had committed.