THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9293, 31 August 1893, Page 6

THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.

PROCLAIMING THE PROTECTORATE

CRUISE OF THE CURACOA.

TWO HUNDRED HUMAN SKULLS * FOUND.

Cable advices from Sydney have informed our readers of the hoisting of the Britis* flag over various of the Solomon Islands recently. From Sydney papers to hand yesterday by the Tyser Company's steamer Hawke's Bay fuller particulars of the proceedings are to hand, H.M.S. Curacoa having arrived at Townsville on the 21st inst.

The Curacoa left Sydney on May 2-4 last with sealed orders, which were not to bo opened until the ship arrived at Port Moresby. Captain Gibson was also entrusted with a large parcel marked " secret contents," which were ordered to be discovered when the secret letters were read. Calling at Townsville en route, the Curacoa arrived ab Port Moresby on 30th May, when the secret orders and parcels were opened. The orders contained instructions to proceed at once to the Solomon Group and proclaim a British protectorate. The parcel contained 30 new Union Jacks, which were to be hoisted on the various islands. The Curacoa thereupon sailed away to the nearest island of the group—Treasury Island—arriving there on the 10th June at eleven a.m. On the following day (Sunday), after divine service, which was held on board, the captain landed with several officers and a guard of blue-jackets. The native King had collected about 30 natives, who watched the proceedings with great interest. Having erected a flagstaff on the beach, the declaration of the protectorate was read. The Union Jack was hoisted, the guard saluted, and the buglers played the fanfare, and a /en de join was fired. As the ship was anchored bub a short distance from the shore, additional significance was lent to the occasion by the band on board striking up "God Save the Queon " when the Union Jack was run up, the natives expressing the greatest delight. In the afternoon the King and his attendants paid a visit of state to the ship in a war canoe, the King wearing the Union Jack as a court uniform. Previously he wore no clothing, with the exception of a hat and flannel shirt; but as the climate was warm, scantiness of attire was the prevailing fashion. Leaving Treasury Island the same day, the Curacoa steamed for Narovo, otherwise Eddystone Island. The formal work of the declaration having been inaugurated, it was essential that ib should be comploted with the greater alacrity, lest the" vessels of some other Power, getting hint of the proceedings, should step in and secure some of the islands. A royal salute was fired when the flag was hoisted, and the natives in alarm disappeared ; bub during the stay of the Curacoa, which extended over 24 hoars, the natives discovered that no harm was intended them, and regaining confidence, came out from thoir hiding-places, visiting the ship in considerable numbers. On the 13th Juno the Curacoa left Narovo for Ronongo, 20 miles away, where the proclamation was made. Thence she proceeded to Gizo, a low coral island, difficult to approach. Here the flag was hoisted, and a bottle containing the declaration was buried at the foob of the flagstaff. The Curacoa left on the same day for Vella Lavella, which was reached at two p.m. This island is 28 miles long, and is remarkable for two volcanic peaks in a semi-dormant state. The anchorage, as markud on the chart, was tried ; but, as there was no bottom at 40 fathoms, the ship was kept under weigh. The captain and his party landed. Several huts were found, bub there was no sign of natives. Warned that) the inhabitants were of a treacherous disposition, the officers and boats' crew who landed were all under arms. Being unable to find any chief or other person with whom they could palaver, the Union Jack was hoisted without explanation of tho meaning thereof, and the declaration was buried in a bottle at the foot of the staff, as at Giza. A ghastly trophy of tribal warfare was displayed in front of tho principal hub, consisting of 200

f„ u ™ a 5 ullß - These natives are known at headhunted. These were con ftscateo^ d taken aboard the 'Pwas Si? th group «>°« flag was noißt^ nd the protectorate declared" «n««w!nJ P ,aces the chiefs objected, Snln y i ?V*rte hill tribe, would cotno down andi jU him He w&fl there{ given a cop* ;f the dcclaration to ghow tc objected on L ° «**»»• Anot h« objected on & groundg thafc - fc giving over hi country to the missionary. who would them going to Außtral £; which they d d, oc like _ In thlg case J copy of the der. ration wa3 left with the nearest cmef wl, was willine to receive it On the 4th July Vived at Bulula, and got information concwnir the murder of K a member of the ere- 0 f the Helena, who was killed while his » a to and another man were bartering for » pr a at U 2 i three years ago. Failing to geC satisfaction, th» Curacoa left, returlng two or three days after, and friehtend the natives by the discharge of blank cartridges. Then 12 live shells were find into the village of Übona, destroying tie principal hut?. ""The party then landed! and set fire to the remaining huts. i