SOLOMON ISLANDERS WILL AVENGE HANGING OF THEIR CHIEFTAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 5

SOLOMON ISLANDERS WILL AVENGE HANGING OF THEIR CHIEFTAIN.

BASIANA was brave, says his lawyer. (United Press Assn.—By ."Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. ) (Received April 30, 12,20 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 30. Mr W. H. M'Carthy, a Sydney-solicitor who has just returned after defending the Solomon Islands chieftain, Basiana, and other natives of Tulagai, for the murder of Resident Commissioner Bell and Cadet Lillies and twenty native police boys. • Mr M'Carthy was deeply impressed with Basiana s courage. He made no attempt to hide his guilt and told the full story of the attack, how he and others crept to the hut while the tax was being collected, and how he deliberately struck Bell on the head and then killed four of the native boys. When sentence of death was pronounced, Basiana exclaimed: “That is what I expected. Why have they talked so much?’’ The other native, 'Nauru, who was sentenced to death, tried to hide his guilt and collapsed and died of dy.sentry in prison before the execution could be carried out. Mr M’Carthy said that there were two probable motives for the crime, either the tax or revenge for the execution of a tribesman some years ago. “It is certain,” Mr M’Carthy adds,” that the natives will avenge the hanging of Basiana.” —Australian Press Association.