AN INDIAN "AMOK."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14209, 4 November 1909, Page 6

AN INDIAN "AMOK."

: " HARMLESS RIFLE DUEL. [FROM our own correspondent.] r Suva, October 20. News has' iust come to hand of a 'sensational occurrence out at Naitaba, a station owned by Mr. G. Hennings, in the Lau group, far oiiit to windward. On the 6th inst., Mr. Hennings had occasion to sus-; pect a Punjaubi house servant of theft, and a search of the man's room revealed articles that had no right there. The man denied the accusation, and no more was said. After breakfast, Mr. Hennings went to the fields to look after the work of the day, and very soon received a message saying the Punjaubi had a .303 rifle and cartridges, and threatened all who came near him. A service rifle, minus the bolt, had been left on the verandah for cleaning. The bolt was put in Mr. Hennings' office, which was locked, and here, also, was ammunition kept. The Punjaubi knew this, and gained entry by a window to the office. Like most Punjaubis, this one ; had had soldier training in India, and what would have been a serious obstacle to most coloured people was to him a simple problem, as regards getting in battle order. On Mr. Hennings' arrival he had disappeared, and forthwith all hands were summoned from the fields for their own safety. ■ A quartette of Solomon boys was sent out to try to persuade the Indian to come in. Slt nearly ended fatally for one of them. As soon as the Indian saw them he " loosened" off at them, and one & bullet -went through the alack of a boy's singlet on one side, coming out the other, without touching his skin. Mr. Hennings got another rifle, and a few rounds of ball, and after a long tramp met the foe at 50yds range. Both opened fire without a score, the white man shooting low, only to disable the Indian. The latter took splendid cover, behind rocks and young cocoanut palms, and he had the advantage of covering all the home quarters. After a brisk rifle duel. Mr. Hennings' cartridges gave out, and hewent home for more, leaving the sirdar and a labourer to keep in touch with the foe. ; When Mr. Hennings returned it was found that the Indian had got away into the scrub. ' As nightfall was drawing in arrangements were made by the planter to secure the homestead against attack. He had posted his sentries, and made all ready for the night, and, standing near a brightly-lighted doorway, had the discomfort of hearing two shots whistle past his head. After that Mr. Hennings mounted guard in a shaded spot for a couple of hours, and then heard with pleasure that the sirdar had by a strategic movement, captured .the Punjaubi and disarmed him. A cutter of Mr. Hennings' arrived next day from Levuka, and the culprit was taken before the S.M.' at Loma Loma. He was committed for trial on a series of charges, and will shortly be in Suva Gaol to take his trial at the next criminal session.