Violence

Samoan Crimes Of

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, April 10.

DURING the last few weeks, crimes of violence have been reported from vari ous country districts of Samoa.

The case in which a 16-years-old Sa moan was charged with having murdered a much elder fellow-villager in a row over a girl, was decided by the High Court of Samoa. A jury of four local residents (amongst them one Samoan Chief) re turned a verdict of manslaughter, and re commended that the maximum penalty pe imposed. The accused, Latu, of Satapuala, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

From the evidence it appeared that the accused continued to strike his victim with a cane knife after he had disabled him by severing his arm with the first blow.

A second murder case is reported from Savaii, where, in the village of Sasa’aai, at a wedding party, a dispute arose between two guests from different villages. During a fight Tamisi, of Faga village, ran a spear right through the stomach of his adversary, Usoalii of Saipipi. The latter died on his way to the Tuasivi Hospital.

The alleged murderer was arrested by Con stable Bower and taken to Apia, where his case will be heard shortly.

Less serious was another Savaii case, where a native caused grievous bodily harm to another native by hitting him with an iron rod over the head. The assailant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.