MASSACRE IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 221, 18 September 1896, Page 2

MASSACRE IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.

A Scientist and Others Killed. [United Press Association! ] 1 Sydney, September 17. News has been 1 received that the nativeß of the Solomon Islands have massacred Baron Foulloni, a noted scientist Midshipman De Beauford, two bluo jackets belonging to the Austrian man-of-war Albatross, and a native guide. Four other Bailors were seriously wounded, and two slightly. The Baron was leading a scientific expedition, and landed at the island of Guadalcanal where the natives attacked and speared the patty, 4 |

The details of the inasßaore" :&k\s§X? <- ; 3 Solomon Islands so far are meagre. "'iTfiStff '^ news contained in the telegram receiye^l^- li by the Admiral from Mr 'Woolfofd/|)i^^ •"; pufcy High Commissioner of the SolomoM^t=y' ' was forwarded to Cooktown by a specialf^^;' ly chartered schooner. Baron VoviQ.6ido^^ Von Norbeekand party were exploringi^Atv the interior of the island at the time.l;§P> Mr Woodford headed the expedition-!*,:^ which brought back the wounded. A^ga'S.' second expedition failed to recover tWf*j>'? dead bodies. H.M.B. Pyladas has gone - X ?M to the scene. The Albatross was placed m* at the Baron's disposal by the Austrian ;,-?>,; Government, for the purpose of scientific ■ '{<■'■. research, and has been cruising among '?>; the islands since May. . ' \-l This Day. : ''■ The schooner from the Solomon Is- ' lands brought sealetd despaches from the commander of the Albatross addressed to tho Austrian Consul at Sydney relating to tho massacre there. The captain was also ordered to maintain the strictest secrecy, hence there is much difficulty in learning the details of the massacre. The despatches will reach tha Consul to-day. The schooner made a longer passage than, anticipated and the Albatross arrived at Cooktown simultaneously with, tho schooner's arrival at Brisbane. Petty officer Maras, of the warship, was admitted to the Hospital on arrival suffering from a fracture of the skull, but he died shortly afterwards. Ono story of the massacre is that the victims (members of tho expedition) were followed by a large party of natives and when some distance inland the latter, armed with axes, made an attack on the whites and forced them to retire. The captain of the Albatross denies this story, but declines to supply any information. Tho object of maintaining this strict secresy is not apparent.