ROUNDING UP OF MAU PROCEEDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18972, 20 January 1930, Page 11

ROUNDING UP OF MAU PROCEEDING.

SAMOAN COAST IS PATROLLED BY SEAMEN. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, January 20. News by the Maui Pomare from the “Star's" special representative at Apia, written on January 13. states: Naval activities so far include the dispatch of a party of five marines and four radio operators, who left an hour after H.M.S. Dunedin arrived yesjerday for the extreme western point of Upolu, to establish a temporary wireless station there. A motor launch is also stationed there as well as a force of police. The main object is to endeavour to prevent any Samoan crossing to Savaii Island, on the other side of Apolima Strait. At the moment all leading Savaii members of the Mau are in Upolu, the capital of which is Apia. With the same object in view, a * arty of eight armed seamen left early this morning in the harbourmaster’s launch to patrol the coast between Apia and Savaii. to try to locate any native boats which might attempt the passage across. • At eight o’clock this morning a party of twenty police and a platoon of marines left by motor lorries on the fif- j teen miles journey to surprise and : round up natives in the villages, in i the hope of collecting fifty “wanted’ ; men on criminal charges. Members of the Mau all wear a uniform. consisting of a dark blue coloured lava, with white band around the edge. Endeavours will be made to arrest all natives wearing this uniform. A reserve platoon was landed this morning and billeted in a house about one mile outside Apia, on the road to Vailima, while another party established headquarters in a flat on the waterfront. Flight-Lieutenant S. Wallingford, in charge of a Moth seaplane, has established a base for flying operations near the pilot station. Cruiser Fires Salute. Many residents of Apia were somewhat startled when a salute of 15 guns was fired from the Dunedin yesterday afternoon, as the Administrator. Mr S. S. Allen, left the ship after returning the call of Commodore Blake. From the ship people could be seen running out of houses on the waterfront, and also from the Catholic Church. The boom of guns echoed in the distant thickly-wooded hills. However, the residents soon discovered that no bombardment was being carried out. but that courtesies were being paid Mr Allen. So far it appears unlikely that there will be any show of force by the Mau. However, when they are met in sufficiently large numbers there is always the possibility of a clash. Their arms comprise knives, stones and sticks. Stones particularly they are able to use with extreme accuracy and deadly effect. The Administrator, with Mr Lewis, Secretary of Native Affairs, and Mr Braisby, Commissioner of Police, left this morning to sift out and identify “wanted’ men if they are caught in the bush. Events Since the siot. Following the rioting on the beach on December 28 members of the Mau lingered about their two strongholds. Vaimoso and Lepea, which were their headquarters, three-quarters ! of a mile from Apia, while small parties remained in Matut, a village to the east of Apia. Various Fonos (meetings) were held, some of which were attended by Mr Hall Skelton, of Auckland. and others. After the deaths of Tamasese and others the natives were busily engaged for several days in funeral feasts at Vaimoso and Lepea. During the following week the Mau hung about Apia, during which time the inquest on Tamasese and the others was commenced. It lasted several days, and really developed into a Court of Inquiry. Mr T. B. Slipper, solicitor, appeared in the interests of the deceased, and also for the Mau. His request for a free conduct from arrest of several Mau witnesses was not granted, it being held unreasonable. The inquest has not been finished yet.