NATIVE QUARRELS IN THE GILBERT GROUP.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2919, 31 January 1884, Page 5

NATIVE QUARRELS IN THE GILBERT GROUP.

[By Tbltobach.] ATJOKJiAin), Jan. 14. Gaptmß Hay ward, of tho ICala McGregor, which huti nrrired from tbe Line lelarcU, report* that tho Julia, a yobs jl of Honolulu, landed on tho Islund of Noncuti, ono of the Gilbert Group, 20 to 80 rofcurncd people of Apis and Taruwi, two islands norfh of the Equator m lio sinnn group. Thato men wore araicil with. Winchester repealing rifles. ei.\teea eChocters. From accounts I could obtain these men vere conotanlly cnuntng (rouble both at XCanululu and on board ship, hut on taoir ixret arrival on Ihe ialnnds they did behuvo the nseJveo for a litlld while. TUoir uui'jition, bowerer, '

became awakened, and knowing their power they showed themselves m thoir true colors. Ten young girls were publicly assaulted, and when two old men went to expostulate they were shot down. Then followed a scene of butchery of ibemost revolting kind, meD,womon and children sharing tho same fate. • Mothers cast their children from them, and with their husbands took to smnll canoeß, preferring to trust to the mercy of the elements m these frail vessels thnn to the pitilessneßS of these fiends of their own race. Somo natives of Nonouti had through fear joined the Apia people, and inflamed by drink and emboldened ay the possession of some arms, procured either with the consent or through the negligence of a white trader, who said, on inquiry, " Yes, be had somo guns, but they were m an old store, and probably given away by his brother-in-law." The same man said that them were eighteen killed to hi* knowledge, besides some who died m the bußh and were eaten by dogs. The peoplo who escaped after this encounter being m small canoes without water, and under a tropical sun, made their nay to two other islands, where they beseeched Timbunaka, the King, to give them succor, also telling him that certain subjects of his own, who were on a visit to Nonouti, along with a missionary and two white tradere, were m constant danger of their lives, if not already butchered. Tho king having chartered a vessel, requested the master to take off his people to Nonouti. The master, after some deliberation, and having received the King's promise that there should be no bloodshed, but that Chief Oulicoa and his adherents should only be disarmed, acquießced, and the vessel, with Timbunaka on board, arrived off Nomuti on the morning of Decombor 6th, and was boarded by a canoe containing two men. These were taken on board by the King, and then entrusted with a message to Culicoa to thoeffectthatTimbunaltahadnotc^me to make war, but only to Buccor bis people and to disarm murderers and compel cbeir good behavior and that if they quietly laid down their arms no harm should come to them. At i a.m. on the 7th three boats w re sent away from tha vessel, but before a landing could be obtained a volley was 6red nt them from tho shore, wliich had thetffect of killing two and wounding one. The people then landed and requested those of Apia to lay down their arms. This demand wus not complied with and a 6gbt ensued, the result being on the side of the Apia people seven killed and one wounded, whilst on the other side there were three killed and nine wounded. Several prisoners were taken on to Turn an a on the following day. Among them was one notorious bloodthirsty man of a most repulsive appearance. Gleeson gave me full details of the shocking Bcenes enacted on the island by the returned labor people, and stutcs that if Timbucaka and his men had not come the lives of two European traders and a missionary would have been taken.