A LETTER FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—In many of the bush villages the natives are still in their wild state, never having come in contact with the various missions. They still maintain all their old customs, one being to have as many wives as they can afford. A native boy pays from £30 to £40 for a wife. The native customs were never interfered with by the Government until recently when it tried to enforce the rule that islanders should have only one wife. The natives think this a great injustice, as it would be a considerable loss to one who had many
wives. .
The chief boy among these bush villages is known as Billy Veti. This boy resented his wives being disturbed, so decided to appeal to the Commission, travelled many miles and eventually reached Tulagi, the seat of Government, and complained that the District Officer was trying to enforce a new law. The Commission told the boy to return with a letter for the District Officer. Billy Veti returned to his village and called a meeting of all the bushmen. At the meeting they decided if any police boys were sent they were to be killed. Axes, &c., were prepared and their plans well set. A few days later the District Officer sent two police boys, each carrying a .303 rifle and cartridges. They were told to ask the Salt Water Chief, by the name of David Sanga, to give them some villfige police boys to help arrest the bushmen. When the police boys and natives reached the bush villages, they called for several bushmen and put handcuffs on them. They then called for Billy Veti, who soon appearel, and allowed himself to be arrested.
Billy Veti very cunningly said it was too late to travel that day, so they would go early the next morning. The police boys agreed to this, so the bushmen gave them a native house and food. One of the police boys said he would sleep across the door inside, in case any of the prisoners tried to escape. During the night there was a loud rapping
at the door of the house where the police boys and prisoners were sleeping. The police boy, who was sleeping near the door, opened the door and put his head out to see what the people wanted. A bushman outside with an axe completely cut his head off. The natives say the headless body ran round the house till it fell exhausted. The bushmen then rushed into the house and killed three more boys with axes. Then they released the prisoners, took the dead bodies outside and burnt them. They then took the .303 rifles and cartridges, and made their escape on top of a high mountain called Tatavu. The Government have been frying to trace the murderers ; four boys have been caught, but they are very secret about Billy Veti and his followers. A woman and child are said to be with the murderers. The country where they are hiding is so difficult that it is impossible to trace them. Billy Veti is vowing revenge and many natives are going in fear of their lives. The average native stands punishment well if he deserves it, but if he thinks it is an injustice he will wait years for revenge.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A CORRESPONDENT IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.
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