Long Arm of the Law Reaches Native Murderers

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 225, 24 September 1935, Page 9

Long Arm of the Law Reaches Native Murderers

SLOOP’S VISIT TO NEW HEBRIDES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Sept. 22. T'lio arm of tlio iritish law is unfailing. When a native missionary from Vila was brutally clubbed to doatk in tlio little-known Malckula Island of the New Hebrides, some mouths ago, the natives of the island did not expect a British war sloop and a police punitivo expedition to visit them. As a result of the naval visit eight tribesmen, including the chief, were arrested. Describing the expedition one of the officers of H.M.S. Wellington, which has returned from her first islands cruise, said that on July 26 they were at Vila, New Hebrides, when news of the death of the native missionary came through. The British district officer, Mr Adams, requested tho Commander f -. Wei.ii-rii.uj, 00. mander J. B. E. Hall, to take him and a party of nativo police, to the island and on the following day they sailed for Malekula. . The Wellington arrived at the island shortly after midnight on July 2S and approaching the shore with not a L. showing the district officer and police were landc. in a whaler. Tho officor stated that by th- time the expediti reached the village the 'Wellington was stanc g off shore anu opened lire with blank shells from her 3 lb guns. The natives were completely taken by surprise by tho punitive expedition and the police arrested eight natives, including the chief of tho tribe. After taking tho prisoners to Vila where they will stand their trial for murder the sloop sailed for Nauru.