THIRD EDITION DEATHS OF SAMOANS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17203, 8 March 1930, Page 15

THIRD EDITION DEATHS OF SAMOANS

CORONER’S FINDING

ANOTHER MEETING WITH MAU (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Adviee received to-dav by the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, from the Administrator of Western Samoa, Colonel S. S. Allen, indicates that a further meeting of the Mau 1 with the Administrator and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe is being held to-day. The findings of the coroner, Judge Luxford, in the inquests on two Samoans, Fitialo and Molia, who met their deaths in the mandated territory recently, have been received by the Prime Minister and were announced to-day. In the case of Fitialo, the coroner gave the following verdict: “I find that Fitialo met his death as a result of a wound caused by the accidental discharge of a firearm in the hand of A.B. Seaman A. D. Colson. No blame is attributable to anyone.” In the other case Judge Luxford says he intends to record a formal verdict, as it would be improper at the present stage to make any comment.’ “My verdict is that Molia died at Apia Hospital on January 27, 1930, as the result of a gunshot wound inflicted by a revolver bullet fired by Lanee-Corpoa! Ricketts, of the Samoan police, on January 22, 2930.”

With reference to the inquest on Molia, .the Administrator of Samoa has advised the Prime Minister that all the. other evidence was contrary to deceased’s account, of the acci-

dent (in which Molia stated he was fired at at a distance of a few inches as he was ■sitting on the ground ), and jjiat the question of whether further .should be taken is now receiving consideration.