SOLOMON ISLAND MURDERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17944, 1 May 1928, Page 9

SOLOMON ISLAND MURDERS.

Fine Courage of Natives.

CALMLY CONFESS GUILT.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 30. Mr W. H. McCarthy, a Sydfiey solicitor, has just returned aftof defending the Solomon Island chieftain, Bassiana and other natives of Tulagi, for the murder of the resident Commissioner. Mr Bell, Cadet Lillies and 20 native police hoys. Mr McCarthy was deeply impressed with Bassiana’s courage. He made ro attempt to hide his guilt and told the full story of the attack—how he and others crept to the hut, while the ta* was being collected—how he deliberately struck Mr Bell on th© head and then killed four native hoys. When sentence of death was pronounced, Bassiana exclaimed: “That is what I expected. Why have they talked so much?” The other native' Nauruo who was sentenced %> death, tried to hide his guilt, and collapsed and died of dysentery in prison before the' execution could be carried out.

Mr McCarthy said there were two probable motives for the crime—either tax or revenge for the execution of tribesmen some years ago.. “It is certain,” Mr McCarthy adds, “that the natives will avenge the hanging of Bassiana.”