FRENCH POLICE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17099, 4 November 1929, Page 11

FRENCH POLICE

METHODS IN SOLOMONS NATIVES TOKTUEED SYDNEY, Oct. 24. A story of the torture alleged to have been intlictod on coolies by the French police in 1 the Solomon .Islands in an effort lo secure infnrniat ion regarding flic murder of a French set tier nu<med Chevalier was told by Mr. Frederick liawkesby, a planter, who reached Sydney in the .Makainbo. Mr. liawkesby, who lived near Clieva.lier, said wire was twisted around (lie fingers of several of the natives to force them to speak. Chevalier hail been on the island of Malopass fur only three months, find hail I charge of a plantation employing Toukincse. These natives were no"! savages, bill had to be driven to work. Two brothers employed by Chevalier had fallen foul of their master, and rather than put up with punishment for not working "went bush." One ventured to return, and Was seized and compelled to carry half a bag of sand. around a house on the plantation four times a day for two days. His brother must have been lurking in the vicinity, for it was learned that seeing his brother thus punished he secured the aid of seven compatriots to murder Chevalier. One of them informed Chevalier thai the wanted man was in the natives quarters. Chevalier weul to th<' shed, and was told the man was under the bed, and as he stooped to look he was altacked by the Toukincse, who inflicted L" ghastly wounds with knives and six with a tomahawk.

The French police arrested 20 ToilIdiiiese, and tortured, them to secure evidence. Several of the natives were also hit on Ihe face and kicked, while wire was twisted about (the fingers of others till they spoke. Two natives oil .Mr. llawkosby's plantation, who said they wore glad that Chevalier was dead, were mairooned on an island with a ration of rice and wafer until the police dealt with them. The Tonkineso were treated worse than dugs, but "that was Ike only way to secure the truth."