SOLOMONS OUTRAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20235, 21 October 1927, Page 9

SOLOMONS OUTRAGE

MAJORITY OF NATIVES LOYAL. • SERVICES FREELY OFFERED. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ) SUVA. October 20. (Received Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.) No information regarding the circumstances of the murders in the Solomons is yet available at headquarters, but it is shortly expected, as the cruiser anchored at Sinarabgo, near 'the site, and landed a party of sailors to form a base camp for the proposed operations. It is reported that the murders were committed by members of two bush tribes, and that between 200 and 300 took part in the outrage. Since the outrage over 800 natives have collected at Auki, the Government headquarters in Malaita, and others are coming in daily to offer their services in effecting the arrest of the perpetrators of the outrage. The, resident commissioner thanked them for their loyalty, and instructed the majority to return to their homes and await orders if their services are needed. Every endeavour is being made to arrest the perpetrators of the murders by the civil forces at the disposal of the administration for this purpose, 30 selected Europeans being enrolled for special service in the armed constabulary, native levies in limited . number also being employed to supplement the available force of 50 native armed constabulary. For aditional protection a party of 30 sailors from (he warship Adelaide will accomnaiiy the expedition into the interior. The parties will operate from the base camp established by the naval forces. The resident commissioner is in charge of the operations, and will accompany the expedition into the interior. Sub-inspector Davis, officer in charge of the constabulary, and District Officer Wilson will also accompany the expedition.