SAMOAN AFFRAY

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVII, Issue 7961, 6 February 1930, Page 3

SAMOAN AFFRAY

REBPSHSIBILITV FM.FITU CUSH THE CORONER’S FINDING MAU CAUSED THE TROUBLE By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, this day. The verdict at the Samoan inquest on the victims of the recent affray covers fifty type-written pages, but the coroner (Mr Luxford) has summarised his findings as follows: (1) Previous to December 28 th there were a number of Samoans against whom warrants for arrest had been issued but not executed owing to the resistance authorised and directed by the committee of the Mau organisation. (2) In two processions of the organisation held during the year 1929, previously to December 28, some of these men had taken part, but although the police saw these men they made no attempt to arrest them. (3) When it became known to the inspector of police that a procession of the organisation was expected to be held on December 28th he decided to take steps to arrest such persons taking part in it who were wanted by the police. (4) Apparently being apprehensive that there would ‘be serious trouble the inspector sent a warning to the leaders of the organisation of his intention.

(5) The warning reached the leaders who, nevertheless, decided to, and did, act in defiance of it. (6) The inspector of police gave orders for the purpose of carrying out his intention. (7) The orders did not include anything in the way of offensive measures against the procession but certain precautionary measures were ordered in case of resistance endangering the lives of those entrusted wth the duty of making the arrests. (8) The measures ordered were reasonable and proper. (9) There was serious active resistance to the police when the arrest of Matau took place, which enabled him to escape and which endangered the lives of the arresting party. (10) The operation of the precautionary measures then became justified, as did the subsequent use of firearms by the police that resulted in the death of Faumuina,- of Savaii, Annoa Vele Leota, and probably of Tapu. (11) The police withdrew from the affray as soon as possible. (12) Four of the police were cut off from the rest of the force and were pressed into a lane between Fabricius’s and Andrew’s stores.

(13) Three made godo their escape, but Constable William Abraham was struck down by a stone when he was a few yards inside the lane from the back road. (14) Constable Abraham subsequently rose to his feet and was attached by a number ol Samoans, end shortly afterwards died as a result of the injuries inflicted by some of them at the time when ne was physically incapable of defending himself. >.:5) The remainin' of the po.ice, mot., of whom rece.ved wounds hut not of a serious nature, reached the police station ;] 6) The Samoans advance! lnwa;d& the police avion from three directons and commenced to stone it on the eastern side.

(IT) Sergeant Waterson, employed the Lewis gun fire for its moral effect and succeeded in turning back the advancing Samoans without causing any casualties. The number of shots fired from the Lewis gun was fewer than forty-seven, and they were fired in four bursts. (18) Sergeant Waterson, .being an experienced Lewis gunner, was justified in his action. (19) The deaths of Tamesese and of Tuia and Migao were the rsult of injuries inflicted by rifle fire delivered immediately before and during the time the Lewis gun was in action. (20) The rifle fire was delivered by three members of the police force from the northern balcony of the police station and was directed down the Ifi Ifi road. (21) The evidence does not show that rifle fire was necessary. However, in the circumstances such as then prevailing it is inevitable that some action will be taken which may appear at the time justified, but when inquired into subsequently will be found to have been unncessary. “That is the conclusion to which I have come in regard to the rifle fire which caused the deaths of Tamasese, Tuia and Migao.”