Samoan Gaolbreaker
pp. 67-68 · Read in the full issue
Captured
After Four Months' Liberty
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, July 15.
THE Samoan criminal, Simaile, who escaped from VaimSa Prison in January, was captured recently in Fale alili District. South Upolu, after four months’ liberty. Later the High Court sentenced him to two years’ imprison ment, in addition to his original sentence of 10 years for rape committed upon a six-year-old Samoan girl, and the two sentences of one and two years respec tively for previous gaolbreaking.
Recently, reports were received by the police that Simaile was hiding In the bush near Vaovai village, Falealili, and that native friends were keeping him advised of police movements. The Super visor of Native Police (High Chief Fan muina) went to the District and organ ised a man-hunt. Finally the gaolbreaker was located in a native fale in Matavai village.
With 500 Samoans surrounding the hut two native constables, Tasi and Lau toa, entered the dwelling house on the evening of June 6. The first constable (Tasi) flashed his torch into the wanted man’s face. Simaile grabbed a pig-hunt ing spear and threw it at Tasi who ducked and then rushed his man. As Simaile was trying to draw his belt axe, the other constable came to Tasi’s assis
tance and, together, they overpowered and handcuffed the fighting criminal.
Chief Judge Morling, sentencing Sima ile to an additional two years, for escap ing from lawful custody, commented on the regrettable fact that a number of misguided persons had aided the accused, knowing him to be an escaped convict.
He also expressed appreciation of the valuable assistance given to the police by the Matais of Falealili.
The death occurred at Ba, Fiji, recently of Mr. R. G. G. Rankin, at the age of 62 years. Mr. Rankin, who went to Fiji from Australia many years ago, was for a number of years in the employ of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., as culti vation manager at various centres. Lat terly he was running the Mota Estate, Ba, on his own account.
Mr. H. R. Thompson, who was recently
appointed Bacteriologist by the Samoan
Administration, arrived in Apia in August by the Maui Pomare.
Brother Herman, who had been a member of the Marist Mission’s teaching staff in Fiji for the past 10 years, re cently died in Suva.
Mr. J. A. Collopy, of the Civil Aviation Branch in Australia, has been appointed Superintendent of Civil Aviation in New Guinea, replacing Mr. M. B. Allen, who has returned to Australia for duty with the Department.