SPEARED AND BURIED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17451, 27 December 1930, Page 4

SPEARED AND BURIED

INDIAN MURDERED IN PIJI SUVA, Dec. 16. The story of one of the most savage murders winch has been perpetrated in Fiji for many years was told in the Supreme Court last Aveek before the Chief Justice and four European assessors. A Solomon Islander named Beni was tried for the murder of an Indian peanut dealer, named Kata Malaya, who disappeared one Saturday afternoon, when he had last been seen going in the direction of a Solomon “town” in which Beni lived.

It appears that the Solomon Islanders had often 'warned Kata not to gio through their garden, but he insisted in continuing to do so. When he failed to come home his Avife became anxious and induced neighbors to go out and search, but all to no purpose. Then, at last, on Monday, the police Avere asked to help. They searched all round and in the “town,” until a Sikh constable noticed a newly-made mound. On investigation ho exposed the body of the missing man. The body showed spear wounds, and his head had been smashed by a club. Several of the residents of the “town” were arrested, but all were released but Beni, avlio all along stoutly maintained bis innocence. He was found guilty. When asked if ho Avished to say any thing he replied, “Though T die, I know nothing.”—Auckland Herald.