Massacre at the Solomon Islands.

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 22

Massacre at the Solomon Islands.

The Southern Cross, at Auckland, from Fiji, brings news of a native attack on the schooner Levuka on the 15th ult. She had on board one native of Apia, New Hebrides, who was to be left at his home. The vessel being bound for the Solomon Islands with seventy-three timeexpired labourarß, a ship's boat went ashore in charge of Nichols, the Government agent, Stewatt Fraser, and a crew. The Solomon Island natives seemed friendly, and warned Nichols not to go to the village or up the coast, as there had been a skirmish with some Frenchmen there shortly before. He, however, was told that he might go to a nearer place, and thought it desirable to make inquiries. On arriving at the spot indicated the boat was grounded on the beach, but none of its occupants quitted it. Suddenly about 100 guns, loaded with ball, were fired at the boat, killing Stewart Eraser, the mate of the Levuka, who was shot to the heart, four bullets having passed through him. Mr Nichols was hit by five bul- [ lets, one going through his shoulder and two through each leg. One of the crew of the boat (a Solomon Islander) had one of his thighbones shattered by a bullet, and he is now lying in the hospital at Levuka in a hopeless condition. The Fijian (Johnny) had two bullets through one leg. The other two Solomon Islanders who were in the boat jumped overboard and swam towards the veßsel. The Apia natives then rushed towards the boat, evidently with the view of capturing its occupants. The only firearm in the boat wa3 a Snider rifle, as the place, being bo well known as being accessible for obtaining wood and water, and a great majority of the natives speaking English or Fijian, no danger was apprehended. On the Apian natives approaching the boat, the Fijian boy " Johnny," half wounded though he was, jumped out, seized the rifle, and fired without aiming. This stopped the rush, and the Fjji boy then single-handed shoved the boat from the shore, amidst a shower of bullets, and sculled her towards the vessel. Captain Jones at once bore up for Havannah Harbour for assistance and advica from the white residents there.