SAMOA RIOT DEATHS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 10

SAMOA RIOT DEATHS

VERDICT OP INQUEST.

FATAL RIFLE FIRE.

NO LEWIS GUN WOUNDS.

REASON FOR SHOOTING.

THE POLICE ENDANGERED.

RESISTANCE OF NATIVES.

[BX TEr.EGRAVII —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON, "Wednesday.

The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has received advice that the verdict of the inquest on the fatalities in Western Samoa on December 28 last was delivered to-day. The coroner was the Chief Judge, Mr. J. H. Luxford, who is a New Zealand magistrate seconded for duty in Western Samoa. The verdict covers over 50 typewritten pages, and the coroner has summarised his findings of facts as follows:

(1) Previous to December 28 there was a number of Samoans against whom warrants for arrest had been issued, but against whom the warrants had not been executed, owing to resistance authorised and directed by the committee of the Mau organisation. (2) In two processions of the organisation held during the year 1929 previous to December 28 some of these men had taken part, but although the police saw these men they made no attempt to arrest them.

(3) When it became known to tho inspector of police that a procession of of the organisation was expected to be held on December 28 he decided to take steps to arrest such persons taking part in it who were wanted by the police.

.Defiance of Leaders. (4) Apparently being apprehensive that if such steps were taken there would be serious trouble, the inspector sent a warning to the leaders of the organisation of his intention.

(5) The leaders of the organisation de cided to, and did, act in defiance of it

(6) The inspector of police gave orders for the purpose of carrying out his intention.

(7) The orders for the arrest did not include anything in the way of offensive measures against the procession.

(8) The measures ordered were reasonable and proper. (9) There was serious active resistance to the police when the arrest of Matau took place, which enabled him to escape and which endangered the lives of the arresting party. (10) .The operation of the precautionary measures then became justified, as did the subsequent use of firearms by the police that resulted in the deaths of Faumuina (of Savaii), Ainoa, Vele, Leota and probably of Tapu. (11) The police withdrew from the affray as soon as possible. Death of Constable. (12) Four of the police were cut off from the rest of the force and were pressed into the lane between Fabriciuss' and Andrew's stores. (13) Three of these men made good their escape, but Constable William Abraham was struck down by a stone when he was a few yards inside the lane from the Beach Road.

(14) Constable Abraham subsequently rose to his feet and was attacked by a number of Samoans and shortly afterwards died as a result of injuries inflicted by some of them at a time when he was physically incapable of defending himself.

(15) Tho remainder of the police, most of whom had received wounds but not of a serious nature, reached tho police station.

(16) Samoans advanced toward the police station from three directions and commenced to stono it on tho eastern sido.

Use of Lewis Gun

(17) Sergeant Waterson employed Lewis gun fire for its moral effect, and succeeded in turning back the advancing Samoans without causing any casualties. (18) Sergeant Waterson, being an experienced Lewis gunner, was justified in his action.

(19) The deaths of the High Chief Tamaseso and of Tuia 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) The rifle fire .was delivered by three members of tho police force from (he northern balcony of the polico station. (21) Tho evidence does not show that riflo fire was necessary. However, in circumstances as then prevailing it is inevitable that some action will be taken which may appear at the time to be justified, but when inquired into subsequently will bo found to have been unnecessary. That is the conclusion to which I have come iu regard to the rifle fire which caused the deaths of the High Chiof Tamaseso, Tuia and Migao.

DEATH OF INJURED MAN. TWO PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL. (Received February 5, 5.35 p.m.) APIA, Feb. 4. Oho of the Samoans who wore wounded on December 28 died in hospital yesterday. Of the two who remain in hospital the amputation of a leg. will bo necessary in ono case. The other native is progressing favourably.'

EMERGENCY POLICE FORCE. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. A prompt response was made in Auckland yesterday morning by men willing lo serve in tho force of military police which tho Government will despatch to Samoa should tho circumstances require it. Although tho city police authorities wore without official instructions concerning tho Government's requirements, they took tho names of tho men who proffered their services.

Later in tho day tho superintendent of police, Mr. W. G. Wohlmann, received orders to call for volunteers between tho ages of 22 and 32, accepted applicants to bo physically (it and to sign on _ for 12 months if their services aro required for that period. Tho rates of pay aro to bo: Privates, 8s 6d; lanco-corporals, lis 4d; lance-sergeants and corporals, 12s 1H; and sergeants, 12s lOd per day. Rations, quarters and clothing will be supplied..