OUTBREAK IN NEW HEBRIDES.

West Coast Times, 19 April 1911, Page 4

OUTBREAK IN NEW HEBRIDES.

SEVERAL KILLED AND WOUNDED. [PER PBBSS ASSOCIATION’—COPYBIOUT., SYDNEY, April, 18.. A French steamer brings news of trouble in the northern part of the Island Santo (New Hebrides). Sixty armed natives, led by two rebellious chiefs named Zingou.roa and Neil, made depredations on the whit© settlers, placing their* lives in ieopardy. J

A force of twenty police, with, a number of Komakas, led by an English man named Thomas, were sent to the scene and made a night attack on the rebels stronghold. After a hot engagement the rebels were 'routed and lied to the bush. Three of their number were killed while others were wounded.

Thomas received two bullets in the chest but is expected tf > recover. Two natix es of the attacking fox*ce "were fatally wounded. The expedition destrv jyed the rebels’ village, plantation and pigs. ■ Another expedition, is being organised to capture the ■ chief’s party. Later. Details of the e.jfctack on the rebellious chief’s stroj jght >ld on the Island of Saanto, show th’at the punitive force consisted of English and French native police Ujider white leaders with a number of native axxxiliaries. The stronghold ws.s reached after a tedious mar.-fch through dense bush. When the attack cox nmenced the auxiliaries deserted, son le joining the rebels. C/n the return journey a party in ambnsh fired on the party who managed to beat off‘ the attack. Later report:, indicate tJ lat though Mr Thom.ns -and two or three other members of the punitive' party were wounded, none, vas killedL