SAMOA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 February 1930, Page 5

SAMOA

THE DECEMBER RIOT

INQUEST ON VICTIMS

CORONER'S LENGTHY VERDICT

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, This Day

The verdict at the Samoan inquest consists of fifty type-written pages, but the Coroner, Mr Luxford, summarised his finding as follows: "(1) Previously to 28th December there were a number of Samoans against whom warrants for arrest had been issued but not executed owing to resistance authorised and directed by the committee of the Mau. "(2) In two processions of the organisation held during 1929 previously to 28th December some of these men had taken part, but although the police saw them they made no attempt to arrest them. "(3) When it became known to the Inspector of Police that a process'ion of members of the organisation was expected on 28th December lie decided to take steps to arrest such persons taking part in it who were wanted by the police. "(5) Warning reached the leaders, who nevertheless decided to, and did, act in defiance of it. "(6) The inspector gave orders for the purpose of carrying out his intention. "(7) The orders did not include anything in the way of offensive measures against the procession. Certain precautionary measures were ordered in the case of resistance endangering the lives of those entrusted with the duty of making the arrests. "(8) The measures were reasonable and proper. "(9) There was serious active resistance to the police when the arrest of Matu took place which enabled him to escape and endangered the lives of the arresting party. " (10) The operation of the precautionary measures then become justified as did the subsequent use uf firearms by the police that resulted in the deaths of Faummna of Savaii, Aino Vele Leota, and probably Tapu. "(11) The police withdrew from the affray as soon as possible. "(12) Four police were cut off from the rest of the force and pressed into a lane between Fabricu's and Andrew's stores.

"(13) Three made good their escape, but Constable Abraham was struck down by a stone when he was a few yards inside the lane from beach road. "(14) Abraham subsequently rose to his feet and was attacked by a number of stones and shortly afterwards died as the result of injuries inflicted by some of them. At the time he was physically incapable of defending himself.

"(15) The remainder of the police, most of whom had received wounds, but not of a serious nature, reached the Police Station. ■ "(16) The Samoans advanced towards the station from three directions and commenced to stone it on the eastern side.

''(l7) Sergeant Waterson employed Lewis gun fire for its moral effect and succeeded in turning back the advancing Samoans without causing any casualties. The number of shots fired from the gun was fewer than forty-seven. They were fired in four burst's. "(18) Waterson, being an experienced Lewis gunner, was justified in his action.

"(19) The deaths of Tamesese, Tuta and Migao were the result of injuries inflicted by rifle fire delivered immediately before and during the time the Lewis gun was in action. "(20) Rifle fire was delivered by three members 'of the police force from the northern balcony of the Police Station and was directed down Ifi Ifi road. "(21) The evidence does not show that rifle fire was necessary. However, in circumstances as prevailing it is inevitable that action will be taken which may appear at the time to be justified but when inquired into subsequently will be found to have been unnecessary. "That is the conclusion to which I have come in. regard to .the rifle fire causing the deaths of Tamasese, Tuta and Migao."

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S COMMENT

WELLINGTON, This Day. Sir Joseph Ward, commenting on the Coroner's finding, says: "Every impartial observer must agree that the exaggerated allegations made in certain quarters are effectively refuted by it. In particular the Coroner finds the precautionary measures taken by the polio.} were reasonable and proper."

ANOTHER DEATH

(Special to Press Association) (By Radio)

APIA, 4th February.

One of the Samoans wounded on 28th December.died in hospital yesterday. Of the remaining two, amputation of a leg will be necessaiy in one case and the other is progressing favourably.