The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-10-20
IN THE SOUTH SEAS.
Monarchy vs.. Democracy-Catholics
in the Gilbert Group.

The following extracts are taken
from the Sydney Herald of late
dates
Among the visitors at present in
Sydney Is G.. y Swayne, deputy COM
missioner anC British resident for the
Gilbert and Ellice groups of islands,
upon which the British flag was hoist
ed in 1892 and 1893. Up 10 the present
Mr.. Swayne's official residence has
been fixed at Butaritari, but a change
is contemplated, probably to Abema-
ma Recently some tribal dispute
took place on the Marakei island, and
az a result the ruling chief was deport-
ed to Fiji by the deputy commissioner
for period Of two years. During this
trouble eight men were killed and
twenty wounded. III. NJ. 5. Ringdove
was sent TO enforce order, and subse-
quently Mr.. Swayne took passage on
this vessel to Fiji, with the chief also
on board. Thence he (Nr. Swayne)
came to Sydney, via New Zealand for
holiday. He took charge of the Gill
bert and Ellice groups in October last,
when he went down to Introduce the
form of government decided upon by
Sir John b. ThurstOn, high commits
sioner. AS yet the official statistics OF
the island are not perfectly kept, but
the exports for last year, Mr.. Swayne
says, amounted to $4,000, and that
was after a two years drought In q
large portion of the group. The only
articles of export are copra and sharks
fins. All the islands north of the line
appear to be governed by native kings,
and those south of the line by denoc-
racles. 1t is an interesting fact, too,
that in the former category of islands
~ e oafI 20 he
while in the latter it is rapidly on the
increase. AS a rule the natives are
thoroughly satisfied with the British
rule. In regard TO the raising of rev.
enue, there is no intention on the part
of the high commissioner to put any
import duties on goods. They raise
funds principally by means of poll
tax of 81 per annum on all foreigners,
a native tax of about 2s- per annum
on each adult, and a trade license of
about &c per annum per store.
CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN THE GILBERTs.
The recently acquired schooner
Maris Stellar, purchased for a mission
vessel for service amongst the Roman
Catholic stations in the islands,
cleared recently at the Customs for
the Gilbert group. The Rev. Fathers
Joseph and Rieeards and Brothers
Bernard and Ferdinand are proceed
ing to the islands by the vessel. She
is beautiful little craft of about 100
tons, and well suited to the work of
carrying teachers from station to sta
ton and from island to island. Cap
tain Robert Cable, an island ship
master Of many years experience, Is
in charge. The Gilbert islands have,
as Is generally known, passed into the
possession of Great Britain; but for a
great number of years, long before the
British contemplated adding the group
to their possessions in Melanesia, the
Roman Catholic missions were estab-
lished there, and at this date the Ro-
man Catholic is perhaps the most
fourishing Outstanding institution
in that portion of the Pacific.
NATIVES DEALT WITH.
Whilst the steamer Flinders was
cruising in the Solomon Group, Cap
tain Williams heard from a British
trader of a horrible massacre, the vic
Tins being five of the crew (natives)
of the schooner Magic, owned and
sailed by Captain Pratt, of Sydney. |
1t appears that the Magic was trading |
in the group, and had called of Rubi- |
ana to obtain some copra. The ma
tives belonging to the schooner went |
ashore in the ships boat, and imme- |
diately on landing were set upon by |
the bush natives or "head hunters"
from Wanna Wanna, and horribly |
butchered. The five victims were all |
Malaysia men. Captain Pratt was on |
the lookout for British warship to |
report the matter and have the guilty |
savages punished.
A report received at Sydney states |
that the Royalist had visited the ISL
and of Malaysia, and dealt out punish
ment to the natives of Aitai. 1t seems
that the tribe has given a lot of
trouble to vessels frequenting the
coast OF Malaysia. During the early
part of the year, they fired on the
boats belonging to the labor schooner
Sybil, and later on, some time in July,
a similar outrage on the
labor brig Para. When the Royalist
the other day the natives
fled to- the mountains, and it was
found impossible to follow them, Ow-
ing to the rough state of the country.
Commander Goodrich
opened fire with the ships broodsiders
and shelled the village of the Aitai
tribe, that being the only means of
the offenders.