The record-union., 1897-11-19
Boldly Raid English Settlements and Pill
lage the Inhabitants.
British Commissioners, With the
Assistance of Settlers, Organize
an Expedition and Attack the
Islanders, Severe Fighting Re-
sulting, the Natives Being
Forced to Break for the Jungle,
Leaving Many Dead and
Wounded.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 1S-The
Solomon Islanders are still pursu-
| ing their murderous tactics in the
island of Guadalcanar Emboldened by
their success in overcoming the Austri-
an expedition under Baron Won Nor
beck, they have boldly ,aided the Eng
lish settlements. robhinS and pillaging
the inhabitants thereof. The steamship
Mariposa, from Sydney and Auckland
to-day brings news of more murders by
the cannibals. The English Commis-
sioner of the islands did not wait for in
structions from the home Government,
but with the assistance of settlers or
ganized a punitive expedition and at
tackled the islanders villages, and some
severe fighting resulted.
The steamer Titus brought the news
to Sydney. The vessel also brought as
far as Fiji several Solomon Islanders as
prisoners.
Three murders We're DerDetrated by
the head hunters. the victims being
Jean Porritt. a trader. and his two as
sistants. When the news of the muir
ders reached Tulogi the resident Minis
ter, Mr.. Woodford, organized an armed
force of settlers and added to it six ma
tive police. He proceeded at once to
Aola and there called upon all male
European inhabitants and the men re-
sponded with a will. About thirty five
we'll equipped volunteers were signed.
The trading schooner Sarah Beattle was
pressed into service and the expedition
embarked for Kow-Kow, the native viii
lage near the scene of the murders.
On arriving at Kow-Kow the whites
and police landed secretly below the viii
lage and formed for an assault. The viii
lage was stormed and the head hun
ters taken by surprise. The natives
fought we'll. but finally broke for the
jungle, leaving several dead and wound
ed and four prisoners. Kow-Kow and a
village called Bonbasi were fired and
completely destroyed.
The following day nine Europeans
and the six native police, headed by
Woodford, marched inland to the viii
lage of Kaiavakemele and attacked it.
The head hunters had fortified the place
with loose brick and logs and made a
bold stand for several hours. The at
tacking force fought from behind the
trees and with their magazine rifles kept
W
were finally obliged to retire, leaving
one of their dead and several wounded
behind. The place was then sacked and
he little party started for the coast
again.
The trip to tidewater was a terrible
one. The handful of men expected to be
assailed at any moment. They were
hampered by several wounded natives
and three prisoners. The Kow-Kow Riv-
er had to be crossed several times, the
men having to wade waist deep in
water. Rough ridges had to be sur
mounted, and all the while sharp look
out kept on ambuscades.
The three prisoners attempted to es-
cape at a rough part of the road. They
jumped suddenly on their guards,
knocked them down and scampered
away over the rocks like deer. Two got
away. The third was recaptured.
When the coast was reached the Beat
tie put off for Tulagi Immediately. and
on arriving there found the Titus in
port.
Captain Williams of the Titus report
ed that the prompt punishment of the
natives has had good effect all along
the coast of Guadalcanar. A case which
came under the notice of the resident
Commissioner shows the different feel
ing of the natives. A small cutter had
the misfortune to be stranded about two
months ago. The cutter was eyentu-
ally floated. but lot of trade. which
she had landed to tighten the vessel.
was stolen by the natives, who refused
to give 1t up. After Mr.. Woodford's
punitive expedition the stolen trade. or,
at least. a portion of it, was brought to
the beach where the cutter had been
stranded and there left for the owner.
There is no doubt. in the opinion of
Captain Williams, that the natives of
Guadalacanar, after the massacre of the
Albatross party, had become most over
bearing. They thought it was impossi-
BILE to reach them to punish them for
the murder of the Austrians. News
travels fast in the Solomons, and there
is no doubt that the particulars of the
Kow massacre We're known from
one end to the other, and the prompt
punishment of the perpetrators without
the aid of a warship will have lasting
effect.