MURDER IN SUVA

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1931, Page 7

MURDER IN SUVA

YOUTHFUL "GANG” INVOLVED

FIJIAN. STABBED IN BACK.

■Suva, July 20.

(Auckland Star Correspondent.) The murder of a Fijian last Saturday night week has brought to light the fact that a series of gangs has been formed in Suva among the youths, many of them half-castes. One gang is said to have 16 members, all of whom are tattooed with a star, and call themselves the “Evening Stars.” Each carries a dagger, and it has been learned that when the members enter a kava saloon they are accustomed to draw their daggers and stab them into the table while calling their orders.

On Saturday night a number of “stars” congregated in a kava saloon, and with others were carousing when a Fijian named Trimesia, who WAS “under the influence,” came in and made trouble. The police put him out twice. Then he and some natives went to the corner of Dr. Beattie’s house, which is on the track by which the youths would go home. Later the gang crime along and at once a verbal battle took place. Epithets were hurled, arid things approached the fighting point when someone rushed at Tamesia, who then ran some distance, and collapsed. His friends picked him up, and Seeing that he had been stabbed near the spine, rushed him to tlie hospital in a car, but he liatl died by the time he reached the institution.

The following Monday a youth named Finio Smith, said to be of Wallis Island pedigree, was brought before the Police Court charged with stabbing and killing Tamesia. He was represented by Sir Henry Scott, K.C., and Mr. 11. Crompton. The hearing was adjourned until July 22.