Native Discipline In New Guinea
p. 51 · Read in the full issue
A LETTER, signed by nine resident planters of Namatanai, New Ireland, and commenting upon the serious ab sence of discipline, and respect for white men generally, among natives —and es pecially native labourers —in their dis trict, was published in this journal a few months ago. The statements made, it is said, gave offence to certain officials in New Ireland.
Some little time later, the A.D.O. at Namatanai, accompanied by another offi cial, and a strong escort of native police, armed with .303 rifles, made a patrol in the district whence the complaints came.
During the patrol, a native was ar rested, but escaped from custody. A police-boy was sent in pursuit. He caught
the unarmed native and, in a subsequent struggle, he inflicted injuries from which the native died.
The police-boy was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. The circumstances suggest that the planters’ letter was well justified.
Mr. R. T. Pleasant, who has been ap pointed secretary of Messrs. 0. F. Nelson & Co. at Apia, arrived in Western Samoa by the June Matua.