RIOTS IN SAMOA

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1929, Page 8

RIOTS IN SAMOA

THREE KILLED IN FIGHT POLICEMAN AND TWO NATIVES OVER' THIRTY CASUALTIES STICKS, STONES, AND SHOTS By Telegraph—Procs Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 29, 11 p.m. (By Radio—Special to Press Assn.) Rec. 11 p.m. Apia, Dec. 2L One constable and two Samoans were killed and several police and 30 natives were wounded in a riot which occurred to-day when a policeman attempted to arrest men for whom warrants had been issued. Prior to Messrs Smythe and Hall Skelton coming ashore the Mau in a body were parading the main beach road, with a Samoan band leading them. Among them were men wanted on warrants. The Mau leaders were notified by the police yesterday not to allow these men to come to Apia. ' In attempting to arrest them a policeman was struck on the head with & • baton and fell. Sticks and stones were used by the Mau and the police had to use revolvers and a machine-gun, which were fired over the heads of the Mail, two of whom were killed and thirty wounded. A constable was killed and several were injured. PREMIER SUMMONS CABINET. DEVELOPMENTS NOT EXPECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Details of the disturbance in Samoa are contained in a statement issued tonight by the Prime Minister. Advice has been received from the Administrator of Western Samoa that a riot occurred in Apia on Saturday morning. Constable William Abraham and two Mau men were killed and two police andabout 30 of the Mau were injured. A large number of the Mau came into the town to welcome Messrs. Smythe and Hall Skelton, and paraded with men wanted by the police, who tried to arrest some of the men wanted. /

The arresting party was armed with batons only, and was attacked immediately by 200 Mau members with sticks and stones. A supporting party of police armed with revolvers got all the police clear except Constable Abraham, who was struck with an axe and beaten to death.

They attacked the police station but were driven off by a Lewis gun, which was fired over their heads. The Administrator advises that no special development is expected. “I have called the Cabinet together.tit,..., order to give the matter immediate attention,” added Sir Joseph Ward, “and I have also asked the Administrator to keep me informed of any changes, and. whether he requires any assistance.”